By Goya Dmytryshchak
A long-held dream is being realised with the construction of a $280,000, three-metre-wide concrete path from Brooklyn Federation Trail to Geelong Road, Brooklyn.
Wyndham Council, Melbourne Water and Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek (FOLKC) have joined forces to build a one-kilometre section of the Kororoit Creek trail network, which will eventually link Altona coast to the Federation Trail.
FOLKC president Geoff Mitchelmore said this would enable users to go south-west to Werribee, north to Caroline Springs, east to the Melbourne CBD and, eventually, south to the Hobsons Bay trail network.
“This will deliver the path to the edge of Hobsons Bay,” Mr Mitchelmore said. “I’ve been wanting this path for about 15 years. It will open up all of Hobsons Bay along this corridor and also give all of Hobsons Bay the opportunity to go out of the Bay and into the west, to the hundreds of kilometres of bike paths.
“It’s a very very important spine in the pathways.”
Wyndham’s acting CEO, Kelly Grigsby, said the path would allow more people to enjoy one of the most impressive natural features in Melbourne’s west.
“The works on the pathway include construction, such as concrete paving, installation of safety fencing and hand rails and signage, and environmental works like extensive weed control, revegetation and beautification.
“These works will improve the amenity of the area and the health of Kororoit Creek.”
Jennifer and Allan Williams, members of the Baywest Bicycle Users Group, said they hoped the next step was the development of the “long overdue” trail from Geelong Road to Blackshaws Road in Altona North.
Ms Williams said there was no off-road path for Altona residents to access the Federation Trail, and cyclists had to ride on busy Millers Road.
“A link would allow residents to ride to the trail in safety and the path would be a huge asset for family recreation,” she said. “The north-south link would complete access to the other western suburbs path networks and open up Altona beach for increased bicycle tourism to the people of Altona North, Brooklyn and further afield.”
