Whitehorse area
We have been lobbying Whitehorse Council to improve access to the Box Hill to Ringwood path in Nunawading and Mitcham by opening access to the Harvey Norman Lane, Richards and McGlone Streets. We have met and discussed issues with officers and councillor Stennett. After years of resistance, Council has agreed to implement these openings subject to agreement with the state government authority VicTrack. Council claims VicTrack have ignored approaches, so we have enlisted the assistance of local state MP, Will Fowles, the member for Ringwood, who has lodged an enquiry with VicTrack. The matter is ongoing.
Interconnection of the proposed Healesville Freeway Reserve path with the Pipe Reserve path has been followed up by David Simm, with local state MP John Mullahy. We are also pushing for the currently missing section of the Pipe Reserve path between Springvale Road and Mahoneys Road to be constructed.
MeBUG committee member Neil Wood has been selected to join the Shaping Whitehorse Community Panel. This should provide us with an additional forum to advocate for better cycling facilities in Whitehorse.
MeBUG president David Blom has urged Whitehorse Council to reconsider its decision not to apply for a grant under the State Government Thriving Suburbs Program. Had Council been better prepared and motivated, they could have applied for a grant of $0.5M or more, matching council contribution, for important cycling projects, such as interconnection of the Pipe Reserve and Box Hill to Ringwood paths.
Maroondah area
We provided Maroondah Council with some suggestions for its Transport Strategy 2024-25. These included the Ringwood to Ringwood East cycling connection, improvements to the Taralla Creek trail and improvements in the East Ringwood to Croydon path.
Monash area
We are pleased to note progress toward a shared state government and Council project to interconnect the Djerring trail with the Scotchmans Creek trail via an on road separated path along Atkinson Street Oakleigh.
We are also advocating for the completion of the Waverley Rail Trail between Jordanville and Mount Waverley.