An elected coalition federal government will commit $5 million towards the construction of a 5km path along the Mornington tourist railway, to connect Mornington to the Peninsula link trail at Moorooduc.
This section of trail, along the former rail line, is the final link needed to connect Mornington through to Melbourne with trips along the freeway network.
And it forms a crucial section of the Mornington Peninsula trail network which, when completed, will connect much of the Mornington Peninsula.
Federal Member for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie MP, said that “with work having begun on the Somerville to Baxter trail, the Mornington to Moorooduc trail is the obvious next step.”
“Around two thirds of the proposed 130km Peninsula Link Trail is complete, and this section will take us one step closer to a fully connected trail between our coastline and townships across the Mornington Peninsula.
“I was proud to commit $5 million to this project at the 2022 election but it went unmatched by Labor. The coalition will once again stand up for local businesses, residents’ health and our local environment in supporting this project.”
In her announcement Ms McKenzie said the Mornington Peninsula rightly held the spot as the premier cycling and walking destination in the state.
Filling in the final missing links on the Peninsula Link Trail would cement the region’s place, attracting more tourists to enjoy the beautiful environment and local businesses.
A Mornington to Moorooduc Trail would encourage greater active transport use, improving physical health for local residents.
The proposed route also passes by multiple schools, and provides a safe, sustainable alternative to private vehicle use. This has the benefit of reducing traffic congestion, especially during peak school drop-off and pick-up hours.
This missing link in the trail has the potential to attract off-peak and mid-week tourists and more evenly disperse them across the Peninsula.
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