Bicycle Network: Regional Routes

Latrobe City wants your feedback

20 December 2011. Latrobe City is asking for feedback on the Morwell - Traralgon shared trail link. Click here to find out more.

Trail feasibility funded

19 May 2011. The State Budget has delivered $60,000 for a feasibility study for the route of the planned Morwell to Traralgon bike trail.

The path has been proposed for some time but there has been uncertainty over the choice of the best and most economic route.

The announcement came at the same time as the Government's decision to fund the Toongabbie to Traralgon stage of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.

This will mean that riders in Morwell and surrounds will have a first class connection through to the rail trail via Traralgon.

Coalition pledges Morwell to Traralgon study.

17 November 2010. Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe has pledged $60,000 for a Morwell to Traralgon bike path feasibility study if the Coalition wins power.

Mr Northe said Latrobe Valley residents have long advocated for increased bike path networks in the region, and local community funding was initiated more than 15 years ago for this purpose.

“The Morwell to Traralgon bike path project has been supported by a number of organisations including Traralgon & Morwell Pedallers Inc (TRAMPS), Latrobe City Business Tourism Association, Bicycle Network Victoria and a number of local recreational clubs and individuals," he said.

“There are obvious benefits to having a bike path built between Morwell and Traralgon, and hopefully in due course, between more of our local towns.

“This bike path will not only provide improved health benefits to our local residents, but increase local tourism opportunities and provide a safe pathway for recreational cyclists in our community."

Mr Northe said there were many references to the need for the Latrobe Valley to develop links such as this, including the Victorian Cycling Strategy, the Victorian Parliament’s Rural and Regional Committee’s Inquiry into Rural and Regional Tourism, and Latrobe City Councils Cycling Strategy 2006-2010.

“A reference in The Victorian Cycling Strategy plan itself states that “there is a need to upgrade and complete missing links in the off-road and on-road bicycle networks in many cities and towns of regional Victoria including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Benalla and the Latrobe Valley.

“However the Morwell to Traralgon cycle link project still sits idle, with no apparent support from the Brumby Government," he said.

“I believe the creation of links between our towns which promotes healthy and active lives is vitally important and I call upon other political parties to likewise support this initiative.

“This $60,000 pledge will ensure that a feasibility study will be conducted, and will start the process for this invaluable link between our towns, which is hopefully the beginning of many more important links between our major towns and smaller communities.”

Morwell - Traralgon trail next priority

19 October 2009. Two major centres in the LaTrobe Valley, Morwell and Traralgon are the next priorities for town-to-town links in the region, according to a recent appraisal.

Bicycle Network Victoria recently met with representatives of Latrobe City Council, the local community, and Victorian MLA for Morwell Russell Northe, to discuss the proposed connection between the towns, which would be an off-road shared use biking and walking trail.

Much like the recently launched Drouin-Warragul "two towns" trail, this route is expected to carry substantial numbers of local riders and walkers each day to work, school, shops, train stations and extra-curricular activities.

Given the proximity of the towns, many residents from either town spend significant amounts of their time in the other. Giving them an option for active transportation between the two towns will contribute to reducing road use, congestion and vehicle emissions and contribute to improving the health of the local community.

As a transport route, this proposal makes a lot of sense. Morwell V/Line station already has a Parkiteer cage, and the expected path will run about 10-12km from Traralgon (depending on final alignment and choice of route), which is an easy riding distance for most commuters.

Early conversations have focused on the need to ensure the proposed trail connects into the town centres of both Morwell and Traralgon, rather than terminating on the outskirts. Town centre connections are essential from the Bicycle Network Victoria perspective.

Latrobe City Council is planning to undertake a feasibility study to determine the best route alignment and outline expected issues and costs. Bicycle Network Victoria applauds Council for turning their attention to this important proposal, and calls on Councillors and staff to take advantage of the wave of support for this idea and get the ball rolling.

It is also imperative for VicRoads to commit to making this project its next regional bicycle infrastructure priority.

MP Mr. Northe is a welcome, vocal and energetic supporter of the trail proposal. He has confirmed that there is a strong level of community support for the project and is working to get this path built.

[Updated] The following map is an indicative route only. The route of this potential path has not been finalised.

View Morwell - Traralgon Intercity path in a larger map