Inverloch trail must go via the coast

SENTINEL-TIMES COMMENT

BASS Coast is one of the most iconic visitor destinations in Victoria, especially for the burgeoning south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

It’s no secret why they come here, and why the rest of us choose to live here. OK we love the rural views, the fresh air and the wide-open-spaces but let’s cut to the chase – we love the coast.

Those magnificent ocean beaches that run from Phillip Island to Wilsons Prom are what they come here for, what we most love about the region.

So, if people are coming here to enjoy the coast where do you think they want to go for a bike ride or a walk? Not up a cow’s backside that’s for damn sure.

Take out the likes of super-iron man, Phil Hanily, and his peloton of committed riders. They are always going to enjoy the Wonthaggi-Inverloch loop through Wattlebank and Cape Paterson.

But the rest of us, the punters, the families, the locals, the causal visitors; they’re looking to go for a ride or a walk along the coast and isn’t Kilcunda such a fantastic place for that.

So why in heaven’s name would they spend $7.7 million on a bike and walking trail between Wonthaggi and Inverloch that goes nowhere near the coast? It’s a woke-world gone mad.

They don’t want it to go near the coast because it’s too sensitive, presumably.

But when the Yallock-Bulluk Marine & Coastal Park was established, they promised access by the community would be a feature – it’s the perfect place for a riding and walking trail, linking up with the dedicated bike path that already exists between Cape Paterson and Wonthaggi.

They say the inland route was arrived at through extensive community consultation – but were you asked?

OK let’s do it now, where’s the best place for a walking and riding trail between Inverloch and Wonthaggi? It’s got to be around the beautiful Bunurong Coast, past Eagles Nest and all the rest.

Good on the government and the shire for committing the money but let’s get real. Please.