Plagued pathway finally opens

THE Guy Road Shared Pathway project was officially opened on Friday morning which connects Bass Valley Primary School students to their greater community and benefits the linking neighbourhoods from Pioneer Bay, Corinella, Coronet Bay, and Tenby Point. 

Due to the narrow shoulder at the entrance of Bass Valley Primary School, students were constrained to travelling via bus or car, but nevertheless the safety of active transport was in the works, but years of delay postponed the completion of the project. 

Significant Aboriginal artefacts were identified during the works, which caused significant delay in August 2021. 

The artefacts found were shell middens (the remains of meals of shellfish once gathered and eaten by Aboriginal people) and two silcrete angular stone fragments, known as low-density artefact distribution.

Following the discovery, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan was undertaken and works re-commenced. 

The project was jointly funded by Victorian State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund ($1.4 million) and Council ($1.4 million) as part of the adopted Capital Works Program for 2021/22. 

The shared pathway is a six-kilometre-long, 2.5-metre-wide shared cycling and walking link between the Corinella Community Centre to the Bass Valley Primary School and Children’s Centre, via Tenby Point. 

With the construction of the shared pathway now complete, it enables students to walk or cycle safely to and from school, and Bass Valley Primary School deputy principal Benjamin Hallas confirmed the school will make use of the path as part of their curriculum – including cross country events, bike education, and science lessons.

The pathway will link into the existing pathways connecting to the Bass Highway in one direction and Coronet Bay in the other. 

Volunteer of 15 years to the Bass Valley Primary School bike education program Don Turner said the Bass Coast Shire Council had previously constructed the other path between the school and the

Bass Highway and once a week, students were dropped off 800 metres down the road so they could walk the remaining distance.

Subsequently council also lowered the speed limit from 80 to 60km/h, and 40km/h during school zone times. 

“The new Guy Road pathway now links the school to their community, lessening the dependence on motor vehicles, while enabling students to experience the physical, social, and mental health benefits of independent travel,” said Don. 

Mayor Cr Michael Whelan officially opened Friday’s event by stating council worked hard to get this path in 2009, and acknowledged the councillors in the previous council and current ward councillors who pushed hard for this project. 

Bass Valley Primary School STEAM leader Lizzie confidently spoke of what the shared path means to her and her peers. 

“We are excited to now have the opportunity to ride to school safely from Coronet Bay travelling along the foreshore track with our friends, linking with fellow students in Corinella. Continuing this new path to link with more friends at Tenby Point before traveling altogether through our beautiful environment to Bass Valley Primary School.”