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Bike Path Study To Proceed Under Coalition

Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe has pledged $60,000 for a Morwell to Traralgon bike path feasibility study if a Coalition Government is elected on November 27.

By Russell Northe - 18th November 2010 - Back to News

Mr Northe said Latrobe Valley residents have long advocated for increased bike path networks in the region, and local community funding was initiated more than 15 years ago for this purpose.

"The Morwell to Traralgon bike path project has been supported by a number of organisations including Traralgon & Morwell Pedallers Inc (TRAMPS), Latrobe City Business Tourism Association, Bicycle Victoria and a number of local recreational clubs and individuals.

"There are obvious benefits to having a bike path built between Morwell and Traralgon, and hopefully in due course, between more of our local towns.

"When State Parliament resumes after the November 27, there are literally hundreds of additional signatures from local community members that will be tabled in Parliament that calls for a feasibility study to be undertaken to ensure a Morwell to Traralgon bike path is constructed. This is on top of the 219 signatures already tabled in Parliament recently.

"This bike path will not only provide improved health benefits to our local residents, but increase local tourism opportunities and provide a safe pathway for recreational cyclists in our community.

"There are many references to the need for the Latrobe Valley to develop links such as this, including the Victorian Cycling Strategy, the Victorian Parliament’s Rural and Regional Committee’s Inquiry into Rural and Regional Tourism, and Latrobe City Councils Cycling Strategy 2006-2010.

"A reference in The Victorian Cycling Strategy plan itself states that "there is a need to upgrade and complete missing links in the off-road and on-road bicycle networks in many cities and towns of regional Victoria including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Benalla and the Latrobe Valley.

"However the Morwell to Traralgon cycle link project still sits idle, with no apparent support from the Brumby Government.

"I will work in conjunction with Latrobe City Council, VicRoads, and the Latrobe Valley community to ensure this project proceeds.

"I believe the creation of links between our towns which promotes healthy and active lives is vitally important and I call upon other political parties to likewise support this initiative.

"This $60,000 pledge will ensure that a feasibility study will be conducted, and will start the process for this invaluable link between our towns, which is hopefully the beginning of many more important links between our major towns and smaller communities."

Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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