Petition against foreshore bike track

Heather Liney, the co- co-ordinator of Cowes Coastcare, has launched a petition requesting the Bass Coast Council to remove construction of a bike track along the foreshore between Cowes and Ventnor, from the council’s tracks and trail strategy.

Speaking this week, Heather said she has no wish to make the provision of bike trails a divisive issue.

She supports bike tracks but is requesting council to avoid construction of a bike path along the sensitive foreshore area between Cowes and Ventnor, when other alternatives are available.

“What this petition is about is asking people to support retaining the foreshore area as it is. And asking council to recognising that it provides habitat for unique flora, fauna and birdlife; that it is fragile, and that it should remain undisturbed.”

Ms Liney said that council’s bike tracks and trails strategy lists the foreshore bike trail to Ventnor as a priority.

“But this foreshore is fragile, and home to an abundance of wildlife and birdlife, which will be displaced if a path is built there.

“We have bike paths through the Oswin Roberts Reserve, Conservation Hill and the Red Rocks Reserve, with wildlife able to co-exist because of the size of these areas.

“But in this case, the foreshore is a narrow strip. It is also the subject of a number of indigenous, flora and fauna overlays.”

Ms Liney said an alternative for cyclists from the Cowes Boat Ramp to Ventnor is available through back streets.

And a bike track from Cowes to Ventnor, already half built by council, is a second alternative, if that was completed. she said.

“We are appealing to council to come up with an alternative that would suit bike riders, without disturbing an irreplaceable foreshore haven.

“We need to look after this area while we still have it. Once it is gone, it is gone.”

“This fragile environment has had enough rubbish, destruction, illegal clearing and interference. “Ms Liney helped start the new Cowes Coastcare group and is its co-co-ordinator.

The petition can be signed by going to https://petitions.sumofus.org/petitions/protect-the-cowes-foreshore-from-bike-tracks