Bayside Leader: Petition on track (29 July, 2008)

A paln to build a bicycle path through the Beaumaris foreshore would be “environmental vandalism”, a local conservation group says. Beaumaris Conservation Society president Adrian Cerbasi said the path would result in “total destruction of the natural vegetation” from an environmental perspective.

And Southern Metropolitan Region Liberal MP Andrea Coote will today present a 600-signature petition to State Parliament objecting to the idea. The plan is one of four proposals raised for community consultation by Bayside Council to extend the existing shared bicycle path a further 850m from Cromer Rd to Charman Rd.

Mr Cerbasi said VicRoads should make that stretch of Beach Rd two lanes wide and provide room for a bicycle lane in each direction.

A council request to VicRoads and State Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas, asking for the path to be built on Beach Rd, has been rejected.

Sandringham Bicycle Users Group secretary Rod Bryant said he would prefer a road path for safety reasons.

“The only parts of the (existing) path that have caused conflict is where it has intruded into the foreshore,” he said.
Bayside Mayor Andrew McLorinan said a final route had not yet been decided.

Ms Coote said it was an issue the government was not addressing, despite the many locals who were passionate about the foreshore.

She said a bike lane on Beach Rd was her preferred choice.

But VicRoads spokesman Andrew Williams said there was no room for a bike lane.

“Beach Rd is an important arterial route and must be maintained as a four-lane road for traffic demands,” he said.
State Government spokesman Michael Sinclair it was a matter for VicRoads.