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Same old story

10/2/2022

16 Comments

 
Picture
By Frank Coldebella
 
WHEN I saw the front page headlines in this week’s Sentinel Times, I felt like I’d stepped back three decades.
 
Over four detailed pages, our local paper did a complete hatchet job on the proposed new pathway between Inverloch and Wonthaggi.

According to the front page article, adjoining landowners fear the pathway will cause “disruption to agricultural production, risks to biosecurity and personal safety”.
 
It reminded me of the outrage that greeted proposals for what we now regard as some of our finest assets: the Wonthaggi-Kilcunda rail trail, the George Bass Coastal Walk, even the Bunurong Marine Park.

The proposed new inland rail is on unused road reserves – that is, public land. But farmers are used to having a lot of personal space. Some feel threatened by people even going past their properties, especially when these people have nothing better to do than ride a bike. This can be very annoying for people who get their exercise by working!
PictureMemorable headline, Sentinel Times, 1990s
Back in the 1990s, similar concerns were expressed about the Kilcunda to Wonthaggi rail trail which also divided properties. I remember one heading in the Sentinel Times: Rail Trail goes ‘through house’!
 
Concerns were expressed about the planting of native vegetation alongside the track which would attract foxes and blackberries. Apparently it would also funnel fires towards the town and force the evacuation of hospital patients!
 
Back then we had a steering committee – the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, CFA, council, South Gippsland Conservation Society, etc – to address all the issues and work out who was going to do what. Each individual section had its own management prescription.
 
Two cattle crossings were installed for farmers who owned land on both sides of the trail. Now if a farmer needs to get cattle in for milking, they just need to close the gates on the trail for a few minutes while the cattle cross. 

​The rail trail didn’t have overwhelming support when it was proposed. Joan Kirner was Environment Minister at the time. When she called for submissions there were about 100 for and almost as many against.
 
Now it’s overwhelmingly seen as a great asset. It’s used from first light to dusk, and well after dusk on nights of full moon when cyclists can enjoy a magical moonlit ride along the coast.
 
On a fine weekend, I’ve counted 40 cyclists and walkers in an hour. In 2020, I passed a former councillor who was one of the strongest critics of the rail trail when it was proposed. What a difference 27 years makes!
PictureGeorge Bass Coastal Walk
There was similar outrage when the George Bass Coastal Walk was proposed. One of the fiercest opponents was Kevin McCrae, an adjoining landowner who was also president of the Shire of Bass and president of Victorian Federated Farmers.
 
Farmers adjoining the walk had been getting free grazing on public land for decades and there was a sense of ownership. Some of them used to throw their rubbish over the cliff. It saved a trip to the tip. They didn’t want it fenced off. They certainly didn’t want people walking along the cliff’s edge. The dogs would chase the cattle, they said. And walkers would drop their rubbish and open gates.
 
That walk is now widely regarded as one of the finest in Victoria. And what was a barren windswept hillside, denuded of all vegetation, has been transformed by selective planting of hardy species such as casuarinas and boobiallas into a wooded sheltered wildlife corridor – at least on the public side of the fence! Most of the land on the other side remains barren and windswept. 
 
Most people are rightly suspicious of change. But the world is headed towards disaster if we don’t change our habits. And that includes our transport. 

The 
Sentinel Times has slammed the route for going inland rather than round the coast. Inverloch to Wonthaggi via Cape is 23kms.  A 46km round trip. It’s hilly and exposed; depending on the wind, it can be a hard slog for those who aren’t at their peak. A nice ride for tourists, perhaps, but not a practical commute.
 
For local people who want to ride between Inverloch and Wonthaggi the direct route is best. It’s 14kms – an easy half hour ride. How much more enjoyable to get away from the traffic and commune with nature. Best of all, it’s flat. A viable, no-emissions form of transport and an enjoyable and healthy way to start the day before school or work.​

Picture
I can see Inverloch people riding to Wonthaggi, and vice versa, to do a bit of shopping, visit their friends and make a day of it. We will be able to ride from Inverloch to Cowes! As electric bikes become more popular, it’s a pleasure within range of all ages and abilities. 

Once the trail is completed, most landowners will appreciate how much value it adds to their properties to have a recreational trail that their kids can use to bike to school or ride a pony.


​Some vegetation may need to be removed but a shared pathway only needs to be a few metres wide. Rather than cut down trees, the trail can weave between them. There will be a net gain in vegetation as the trail is planted out.
 
The route might look a little ordinary now but it will be fantastic in a few years. Once the wildlife corridors are in, the animals – kangaroos, wombat, echidnas, snakes and a multitude of birds – will return, as they have done on the rail trail. Perhaps even koalas which were once numerous around Inverloch.  They’ll need to leave a gap in the vegetation so riders can catch a glimpse of the sea.
​
"Adjacent landowners to the proposed path alignment have been consulted with since the beginning of detailed design, and infrastructure such as cattle underpasses will be provided so that they can continue their operations.
   "The majority of the path will run through Council-owned road reserves and already cleared areas where no vegetation removal is required. Where the path does run through existing vegetation, an avoid and minimise principal has been applied to minimise the amount of vegetation being removed.
   "A vegetation assessment and arborist report have been undertaken to assist in the design. Any vegetation removal that takes place will be offset as per state government requirements and additional native vegetation planting will take place where the path runs through cleared farmland.
  "We’re currently in a detailed design phase and are meeting our funding requirements. We’ll continue to keep stakeholders informed throughout the project."
-  
Bass Coast Shire Council website 
With input from the CFA, adjoining landowners, Landcare, the council, the conservation society and cyclists, the issues can be resolved There’s nothing that can’t be solved, with goodwill on all sides. ​
16 Comments
Jacqui Paulson
11/2/2022 10:58:59 am

It was great to hear a positive spin on the new path. Thank you.

Reply
Liz Glynn
11/2/2022 12:46:24 pm

Here, here, Frank. Thanks for putting things into a much needed historic perspective.

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Nola Maxfield
11/2/2022 01:21:35 pm

Well written Frank, I had the same sense of deja vu when reading the comments from adjoining land owners. Unfortunately no-one seemed to have considered the potential tourism opportunities of having a bike and walking track, extending all the way to Cowes, nearby. I remember being involved in the consultations back as far as 2016, advocating for more opportunities for people to improve their health and fitness with active transport and recreational options. Congratulations to this and the previous two councils, along with our state member of parliament.

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rosemary loughnan
11/2/2022 01:56:30 pm

Should be following the coast, not right through that area. between Inverloch and Wonthaggi. I really dont care if it upsets the farmers as its road reserve etc but the amazing tourist potential for a coast track would be of great advantage - My son lives just off the great ocean road near Port Campbell and it is mesmorising as is our road from Inverloch to Cape.
. .

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Jessica
11/2/2022 02:28:52 pm

Thanks for the history. I can't wait to ride along the new Wonthaggi-Inverloch bike trail.

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Bernie Mccomb
11/2/2022 03:17:43 pm

Great news, can’t happen soon enough, the more the merrier getting out to enjoy fresh air and exercise.

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Brian Conroy
11/2/2022 05:25:37 pm

A thorough and reasoned analysis. Thank you.

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Rhonda Sutton
11/2/2022 05:26:21 pm

Thanks for this informative article Frank. It explains the history of our bike trails extremely well and also gave me a few giggles about the absurd concerns people had about them. Like you I love our local bike trails and agree that occasional gaps should be left to allow views along the way.

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Danny Drummond
11/2/2022 05:58:45 pm

Well said Frank. loo

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Rick Whitehouse
12/2/2022 10:48:32 am

well written Frank ,it's a no brainer ,get on and do it

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Neil Rankine
12/2/2022 11:31:21 am

A coastal path is problematic without closing one lane of the road or having mega dollars to compulsorily acquire land. Putting the rail trail extension in now doesn't preclude the coastal path however. The land along the coast has been rezoned for rural & low scale tourism development and if councillors ask those developers to include a path in the development it will gradually work its way along the coast creating a loop circuit between Wonthaggi & Inverloch (i.e. inland one way and coastal back).

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Beth Banks
12/2/2022 01:15:24 pm

20 years ago this plan was proposed to a meeting with support Since that time people, including the Shire have attempted to obtain funding.
Thanks Frank for your article
. Imagine the school kids riding through the countryside to finish up swimming at the beach at Inverloch no need for parking and no need to remove vegetation

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Leonie Smith
14/2/2022 02:44:42 pm

Spot on Frank. Thanks for all the info.

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Geoff Ellis link
15/2/2022 01:51:38 am

Frank, you've nailed it again!

As a resident of Harmers Haven I see the attraction of the coastal route but wonder how a properly constructed track could fit in alongside the road without large scale earthworks or tree removal. Inland route? Why wouldn't you use a road reserve for a roadway? That's what it's for!

How about a track from Harmers to Wonthaggi? I'd love to be able to ride there but the road kill along Berry's is an omen. Just wondering when that limit will be dropped to 60, by the way. Sick of seeing dead wombats.

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Peter Carden
15/2/2022 12:11:42 pm

As a newbie to the area and having ridden the Kilkunda to Wonthaggi Raif trail the Wonthaggi to Inverloch continuation is a no brainer and one that would get extensive use. However as a newbie can someone tell me what the hold up is please? Surely it can’t be farmers?
On the subject of a trail along the coast this is currently a major accident waiting to happen!
On several occasions on recent weekends we have been motoring between the Cape turnoff and Eagles Nest and have seen some incredibly close shaves with cyclists as a vehicle comes round a bend at 60-80 kph and nowhere to go with another vehclie coming head on.
Bass Shire or VicRoads please note before someone is killed!

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Geoff Ellis
16/2/2022 12:50:46 am

Peter,

What's the hold up? The short explanation is funding and the long explanation is on the Council website - this is an extract

There are currently about $40 million worth of footpath and bike path construction works that have been identified as highly desirable across Bass Coast, with only $300,000 to $400,000 available in each annual budget.

All footpath requests are evaluated and prioritised using strict criteria considering safety, site factors, environment, users and funding.

In 2016 following community consultation, Council adopted an Aspirational Pathways Plan to fill the gaps in pathways around Bass Coast. The Plan has identified 53 aspirational paths that have not been built, and are not currently on any work plans.

Council has since adopted a prioritisation tool in conjunction with the development of Active Bass Coast 2018-28. An overland off road path connecting Inverloch and Wonthaggi has been identified as the highest priority pathway in Bass Coast.

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