Alternative route proposed for Surf Parade bike track

AN ALTERNATIVE route has been suggested for the Surf Parade bike track that could avoid turning Surf Parade into a one-way street.

Former Parks Victoria Ranger and Inverloch resident Neil Drummond has proposed diverting the pathway at Ozone Street across Lohr Avenue to a track near Ripple Drive that would allow the bike path to be re-routed along Selena Williams Linear Park.

“It’s an extremely bad idea to make Surf Parade one-way,” said Mr Drummond.

“Selena Williams Linear Park is a very wide reserve, and a narrow bike track would not overpower the reserve leaving plenty of room to park along Surf Parade,” he said.

“Goroke Street could be a meeting point to connect with the Wonthaggi to Inverloch shared pathway and the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club,” Mr Drummond said.

Mr Drummond claimed Selena Williams Linear Park is underutilised.

“My plan would be less expensive and existing traffic patterns would not be changed.”

No trees would need to be removed according to Mr Drummond.

“It would be similar to the Ayr Creek track and would enhance the visitor experience.”

Mr Drummond said a bike track linking Surf Parade with Goroke Street through Selena Williams Park would avoid the need for one-way traffic in Lohr Avenue.

Heading west along Surf Parade the track would turn right into Ozone Street and cross over Lohr Avenue to continue along the existing track to Ripple Drive.

Turning left at Ripple Drive, the track would connect with an existing track just west of Munroe Court.

“This track leads into Selena Williams Park,” said Mr Drummond.

“There are a number of informal tracks in this reserve.”

Mr Drummond claimed there would be a number of benefits using his plan.

“Plenty of room to provide formal parking on the south side of Surf Parade,” he said.

Other benefits included saving the Surf Parade Goroke Street intersection from car, bike and walker congestion, providing a formal track for Selena Williams Park which is under used, and having reached Goroke Street bike riders could then turn left to the Surf Life Saving Club or turn right to connect with the Wonthaggi to Inverloch shared pathway.

Mr Drummond said a refuge island on Surf Parade would provide safe entry to Ozone Street with no disturbance to existing traffic movement.

“Options for entry to Beachcomber Drive and Veronica Street could be provided.”

According to Mr Drummond parkland is always better than a roadway.

Bass Coast Shire Council has called for public submissions to the one-way proposal for Surf Parade in Inverloch as part of the final stage of the Surf Parade shared pathway.

The current proposal would change Surf Parade to one-way traffic between Ozone Street and Goroke Street with traffic heading east to west away from town, to allow for the construction of the final stage of the path and include car parking.

Due to coastal erosion council claimed there is no room to build a shared path with car parking while retaining two-way traffic without using the coastal reserve.

If the one-way proposal is endorsed council said the final stage of the shared path will be able to be constructed using project savings from the Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail.

Council is inviting written submissions in relation to the one-way traffic proposal until April 1. Submissions can be made by email to traffic@basscoast.vic.gov.au