Work begins on the Somerville to Baxter Trail
Published on 18 December 2024
L-R: Derek Rotter, Cr Kate Roper, Will Connard, Mayor Anthony Marsh, Paul Mercurio MP, Davey Smith, Kevin Chuck
Mornington Peninsula Mayor Anthony Marsh was joined by the Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio yesterday to celebrate construction starting on the Somerville to Baxter Trail.
This much-anticipated new shared path is a vital missing link in the grand vision for the Peninsula Trails project, a 170km network of connected trails traversing the Mornington Peninsula.
Once the Somerville-Baxter section is complete, walkers and cyclists will be able to travel off road from central Melbourne all the way to Balnarring.
Construction of the new shared path is anticipated to be complete by late 2025. For more on the Somerville-Baxter Trail, visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/pentrailupdate
For more information on Peninsula Trails and to have your say on the draft Peninsula Trails Masterplan, visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/peninsulatrailsmasterplan
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh:
“The Somerville-Baxter Trail was Council’s first priority in terms of filling in the missing links of the Peninsula Trails project, and we are extremely grateful to both the Australian and Victorian Governments for providing funding.
“The Victorian Government contributed $3 million and the Australian Government committed $2 million. Council contributed the remaining $2.8 million to allow this important project to go ahead.
“Our community has been calling for this shared path for many years. It will dramatically improve access, connectivity and amenity for our Western Port communities, connecting up existing paths and giving our residents the chance to ditch the car and travel safely by foot or by bike to school, the shops or work.
“It will also further cement the Peninsula’s reputation as a cycling and walking destination, attracting off-peak visitors lured by the opportunity to walk or cycle off road from central Melbourne - via the Bay Trail and Peninsula Link Trail – all the way to Balnarring.
“This project will create economic, health and wellbeing benefits for countless Victorians for many years to come, and that’s something worth celebrating. I look forward to trying out the new path once it’s complete.”
Quotes attributable to Paul Mercurio MP:
“This is absolutely fantastic news and something the community have been asking for and wanting for some time. A lot of people have worked tirelessly over the last few years to bring this about and I thank them all.
“I pushed hard when I was on Council to get the path not just to Baxter but all the way to Golf links Road to join up with the Frankston path – meaning we can go all the way into Frankston on the shared bike path.
“I am super excited to see the work begin and cannot wait to walk the path when completed.”