PLANS to complete the much-lauded Peninsula Trail have hit a snag, with environment groups saying some sections could destroy vital habitat and pristine environments.
Friends of the Mornington Railway Reserve’s Jeanette Miller said the 2.5-kilometre section of the path along the railway reserve from Bungower Road to Wooralla Drive would threaten rare species already at risk.
“Apart from frogs, birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals, the railway reserve is one of the few local grassy woodland sites still in pristine condition,” she said.
The friends’ group wants a meeting with Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio to discuss its “deep concerns” regarding the plans, saying it runs counter to stated objectives of federal, state and local governments.
“This is a much-loved section of pristine environment, it’s too important to lose,” Miller said.
The completion of the trail is being lobbied for by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, which has been pushing for government help to pay for the “missing links” sections of the 130-kilometre trail.
The trail has also received the official endorsement of all eight peninsula Rotary clubs with members working on projects to enhance it, including rest stops.
Through the council’s Shout Out campaign, residents are being asked to write to state election candidates to support the $62.5 million project, which includes $25.5 million over the next four years for phase one from Baxter to Somerville, Mornington to Moorooduc and the southern peninsula.
The council, which says the trail will boost tourism and create jobs, has already committed $10 million, the state government $3 million and the federal government $4 million.
Gaps in the trail, previously called the Bay Trail, include the Moorooduc to Mornington leg which will run along the old railway line from the end of the Peninsula Link trail at Moorooduc station to Mornington station, at the corner of Yuilles and Watts roads, and then into Main Street.
But concern over the trail is growing, with the Mornington Environment Association, local ecologist, educator and artist Gidja Walker, BERG and the Mount Eliza Association for Environmental Care calling for more consideration to be given to sensitive environments.
Although the exact route for the trail has not been finalised, BERG field officer Liz Barraclough said the group was concerned the trail could take cyclists along the boardwalk through Balcombe Estuary, which she said would be “totally inappropriate”.
“We have enough trouble protecting that area, so we don’t want the trail going through there,” she said.
“We have not had confirmation of that, but early talk was that it was a possibility.”
Councils’ manager of programs and project management office, Davey Smith, said no decision had yet been made on the final alignment of the Peninsula Trail between Mornington and Moorooduc.
“We know high environmental values exist along the railway line and have engaged specialists to update a flora and fauna assessment of the rail corridor,” he said.
“They will look at ecological considerations, biodiversity values, alternative routes, environmental risks and mitigation measures.
“Minimising any environmental impacts is a priority. Potential alignment options for the path will be carefully evaluated and include opportunities to enhance management of our diverse woodland, scrub and riparian habitats.”
The council’s promotional material for the trail claims it “has the potential to attract off-peak and mid-week tourists and more evenly disperse them across the peninsula” by creating new opportunities for guided walking and cycling tours of the region’s food, wine and art scene.
The council estimates the completed trail will generate an economic output of $48 million ($23 million direct and $25 million indirect), and support 129 full-time equivalent jobs (51 direct and 78 indirect) during its construction phase. The operational phase is estimated to deliver $3.3 million direct-visitor expenditure and $5.6 million in health cost saving benefits to peninsula residents each year and support 35 full-time equivalent local jobs.
The Friends of Mornington Railway Reserve will hold an art exhibition next year to highlight the reserve’s value and vulnerability.
For more information on the exhibition email Jeanette Miller at millerjeanette09@gmail.com
First published in the Mornington News – 1 November 2022
