MORNINGTON Peninsula mayor Cr Anthony Marsh and Hastings MP Paul Mercurio have turned the first sod to celebrate construction starting on the Somerville to Baxter Trail.
This much-anticipated new shared path is a missing link in the 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.
“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,” said Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh. “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.”
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
First published in the Frankston Times – 7 January 2025