The Cluster of eight Rotary Clubs on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula (District 9820) partnered with their local Council, to provide better walking and bike riding infrastructure for their communities

Article by PP Ross Kilburn, Rotary Mornington, Chair Working Group Peninsula Trail - Mornington Peninsula Rotary Clubs. 

Walking and bike riding have always been popular recreational activities, but especially in the last eighteen months of Covid lockdowns.

Prior to this surge in interest the Cluster of eight Rotary Clubs on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula (District 9820) recognised the opportunity to partner with their common local Council, to provide better walking and bike riding infrastructure for their communities.

Since their first meeting two years ago, the Cluster has worked closely with the Council to develop a vision for around 100 km of trails, half of which already exist, and a priority has been established for three significant missing links.

Council is leading this major project with a long term capital cost of around $50m and a Stage 1 cost of $20m. Council has committed to $10m of this and the Federal Government has already committed $2m to one of the missing links, Baxter to Somerville. The economic benefit well exceeds these numbers.

Each of the eight Rotary Clubs in the cluster has taken responsibility for an initial Rotary Australia Centenary Project in their local area that will enhance the user experience of the Peninsula Trail. They are advocating for its construction, and engaging and connecting with their local community about what type of features and facilities they would like to see along the Peninsula Trail – predominantly rest stops.

Clubs are funding their projects from their own fundraising and government grant applications and are looking into options of sponsorship and Foundation Grant applications.

Cluster Assistant Governor Peter Rawlings says “This is a great project for our community and one that will enhance Rotary’s profile on the Peninsula. It could not have been achieved, by an individual club and is a great example of how the Cluster working together can deliver a community project over several years that’s benefit will extend into the next 100 years’”