Thursday, 15 August 2019

In reply to  Mr O’DONOHUE (Eastern Victoria) (6 June 2019)

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating):

VicRoads, the Department of Transport and local councils are currently reviewing the existing Strategic Cycling Corridors (SCC) and planning work is expected to be completed by end July 2019.

I am advised that the Baxter bike trail is a gap between Baxter and Somerville along the Stoney Point rail line. This trail has been identified by the review as forming part of the SCC network.

The Federal Government’s funding commitment is inadequate to provide shared use path of approximately 4.5km along the rail reserve between Somerville and Baxter.

Currently, the Department of Transport is developing a business case for the proposed electrification of the Stoney Point rail line between the Frankston and Baxter train stations.

It is in the early stages of development but VicRoads is advocating for the inclusion of improved pedestrian and cycling facilities along the rail corridor. Whether or not these facilities will form part of the final scope of works will not be known until the business case has been approved by the state and federal governments.