Kingston's Bay Trail

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Consultation concluded at 6pm on Monday 5 September 2016.

Council has committed to completing the remaining section of the Bay Trail between Mentone Life Saving Club and the northern end of the foreshore at Mordialloc.

In February this year, Council endorsed a plan to build a trail that:

  • provides the back of kerb option next to the road
  • minimises vegetation loss
  • provides 861 car parking spaces - which is an overall loss of 43 car parking spaces
  • sees most sections of Beach Road narrowed by 30cm (to an average of 13.4m), with some small areas narrower to safely accommodate bus stops, indented car parks and car park entrances.

There’s recently been a lot of community interest and concern regarding Council’s recent decision to complete this missing link.

We're now seeking your feedback on this decision.

Information sessions

Council is holding two information drop-in sessions on the Bay Trail to provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions relating to these plans.

  • Tuesday 9 May 2017
    Drop in anytime between 4–7pm
    Mentone Council Office, 34 Brindisi Street, Mentone.

  • Thursday 18 May 2017
    Drop in anytime between 4–7pm
    Mentone Council Office, 34 Brindisi Street, Mentone

Background

The 700m-long Bay Trail between Charman Road and Mentone Life Saving Club was completed by Council in 2015 following a period of consultation, planning, design and construction. This section of the trail has been welcomed by the community, with high use by recreational cyclists and pedestrians. With the completion of this section of works, Council is now turning its attention to completing the Bay Trail from the Mentone Life Saving Club to Mordialloc.

In 2016, Council sought feedback from the community with two design options for this next section of the Bay Trail. The options presented to a range of community stakeholders for public consultation and comment were a back of kerb option, and an alternative alignment with a mix of back of kerb and existing path network.

The results of last year’s consultation demonstrated overwhelming support for a ‘back of kerb’ option next to the road. Other themes raised by the community included keeping the path visible from the street, retaining gravel walking path to provide separation between pedestrians and cyclists and offset of any vegetation loss.


Council has committed to completing the remaining section of the Bay Trail between Mentone Life Saving Club and the northern end of the foreshore at Mordialloc.

In February this year, Council endorsed a plan to build a trail that:

  • provides the back of kerb option next to the road
  • minimises vegetation loss
  • provides 861 car parking spaces - which is an overall loss of 43 car parking spaces
  • sees most sections of Beach Road narrowed by 30cm (to an average of 13.4m), with some small areas narrower to safely accommodate bus stops, indented car parks and car park entrances.

There’s recently been a lot of community interest and concern regarding Council’s recent decision to complete this missing link.

We're now seeking your feedback on this decision.

Information sessions

Council is holding two information drop-in sessions on the Bay Trail to provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions relating to these plans.

  • Tuesday 9 May 2017
    Drop in anytime between 4–7pm
    Mentone Council Office, 34 Brindisi Street, Mentone.

  • Thursday 18 May 2017
    Drop in anytime between 4–7pm
    Mentone Council Office, 34 Brindisi Street, Mentone

Background

The 700m-long Bay Trail between Charman Road and Mentone Life Saving Club was completed by Council in 2015 following a period of consultation, planning, design and construction. This section of the trail has been welcomed by the community, with high use by recreational cyclists and pedestrians. With the completion of this section of works, Council is now turning its attention to completing the Bay Trail from the Mentone Life Saving Club to Mordialloc.

In 2016, Council sought feedback from the community with two design options for this next section of the Bay Trail. The options presented to a range of community stakeholders for public consultation and comment were a back of kerb option, and an alternative alignment with a mix of back of kerb and existing path network.

The results of last year’s consultation demonstrated overwhelming support for a ‘back of kerb’ option next to the road. Other themes raised by the community included keeping the path visible from the street, retaining gravel walking path to provide separation between pedestrians and cyclists and offset of any vegetation loss.


Guest Book

Leave your general feedback on Council's Bay Trail plans here.

Consultation concluded at 6pm on Monday 5 September 2016.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

The main question is why are we removing carparking.
We have been told from day one that there would be no loss of carparking.
Surely it can't be that hard to design a baytrail with the design requirements that have been stated from the beginning, without changing the rules mid stream.
Why on earth would we be looking at narrowing Beach rd if we are going to lose carparking spaces, let alone traffic safety, bicycle safety, access for emergency services, bus and truck movements.

Do not narrow Beach rd, give us the amenities that have been promised from the start.

Rod almost 7 years ago

I completely support the Council's plan to complete the bay trail. We should not destroy any more of the foreshore bushland for a cycle path that I rarely see used by any cyclists. Walkers already have three options, beach, beach path or the 'cliftop' nature path. Usage wise I can only see the bay trail as pointless. Hardly any cyclists use it and any walkers have multiple other options. The whole project seems to have been a project for employing contractors over an extended period.

Cook almost 7 years ago

PLEASE do this next extension as the area between the life saving club and Charman Rd.
New proposal is stupid.

KEVIN DIX almost 7 years ago

The main sticking points seem to be the amount of vegetation removed along the proposed alignment and its impact on road widths and parking. If Council made an undertaking to provide plantings to replace the area removed it may be an acceptable compromise to those concerned with vegetation loss. Ideally the replanting would be Australian coastal plants which are indigenous to the area and along the coastal reserve along the Kingston section of the Bay Trail alignment.

Another compromise which may help is that although the advertised trail width is 3m, the minimum is 2.5m. If this is demonstrated to save more car parking and vegetation, then the trail width may be modified to suit in those sections only.

My main concerns as a cyclist, driver and pedestrian are:

1. Safety and amenity for ALL users of the area: Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, emergency services and people wanting to park their car.

2. Transport options that provide routes to destinations that are convenient and pleasant to use.

3. Minimising overall loss of vegetation.

I entreat Council to reach a compromise that is acceptable to all parties. The hard intractable lines of opinion I have observed so far only delay the trail's installation. The section already installed from Charman Road is great, please continue it. 20 years of advocating and waiting is too long for only a few km of shared trail. Just get on with it.

Joe Astbury.
President Bayside Bicycle Touring Club,
Convener Kingston BUG

Joe Astbury almost 7 years ago

I support the amended recommendation to slightly narrow Beach Road between Parkdale and Mordialloc and thereby reduce the amount of vegetation loss. Beach Road is particularly wide along this stretch of road and so can accomodate being narrowed slightly. Contrary to other people's complaints about this change, this narrowing could actually have a calming effect on traffic speeds along this stretch of road which is currently wide and open. Some complainers are suggesting to do away with the granitic sand path or the goat track however I disagree. Walkers need these paths as they are safer than sharing the bike trail since bike riders are notoriously inconsiderate of pedestrians and rarely sound their bells or alert walkers to their presence; so for walkers to have to share the new paved bike path means walkers are at serious risk of being knocked over by bike riders.

Pandemonium almost 7 years ago

I don't agree with the proposal to narrow Beach Rd. With the fast growing population in our suburbs, we urgently need a better management of our roads and parking spaces. By narrowing Beach Rd and removing parking spaces, the Council is just doing the opposite.
Beach Rd is very congested, esp. on peak hours and weekends, so narrowing the road will make driving and riding more dangerous.

N. Adobato almost 7 years ago

As a regular bike rider and local resident of Mordialloc, I am strongly opposed to any narrowing of Beach Road for the extension of the ‘Bay Trail’ from Mentone to Mordialloc.
Common sense would clearly dictate that ‘safety’ of cyclists and other users of Beach Road MUST take precedence over vegetation! The sensible compromise is to complete the Bay Trail back of kerb, with no narrowing of Beach Road lanes, no loss of lanes, while minimising any loss of car parking.
The removal of ‘unofficial’ gravel and dirt walking paths with planting of vegetation would largely offset any overall loss of vegetation. Simple!
Walkers will still have the option of walking on the concrete paths on the foreshore for the majority of the way from Mentone to Mordialloc other than a short section at Parkdale where there is gravel path connecting the concrete foreshore paths along the beach. It is not necessary to have three paths connecting Mentone and Mordialloc along beach side – Bay Trail, unofficial walking paths, and concrete foreshore path.
Mordialloc already has a serious shortage of car parking for visitors particularly during summer months, and any loss of car parking spaces along Beach Road will exacerbate the problem .
This is how the majority of the community believed was to be the approach adopted by previous Council, and we expect the current Council to proceed on that basis.
Get rid of the gravel paths. Do not narrow Beach Road. Minimise the number of car parking spaces lost.
Council needs to stop arguing now, and get on with it!

Paul Cahir almost 7 years ago

I completely support the Council's plan to complete the bay trail. We should not destroy any more of the foreshore bushland. Road narrowing should have the added benefit of reducing traffic speed making beach road safer for locals. Please do not take notice of the vocal minority with vested interests but do what is best for the community as a whole.

Flora almost 7 years ago

I object to the plan to reduce beach road as per the proposed plan :
- 12.7m for bus stops and foreshore carparks
- 13.05m in areas of indented parking
- 13.4m in remaining areas.
Reducing the road width would most surely place the many cyclists at risk by placing them into the middle lane and motorised traffic, especially in the areas of bus stops and carpark areas.

Safety of road users should be of paramount concern, any loss of vegetation will be accommodated in offset planting.
Current Proposed plan removes .85 hectare of vegetation, if the road width is left as is, then the vegetation removal is 1 hectare.
is the safety of road users worth .15 hectare of low quality vegetation that will be offset either way?
Please do Not Narow the Road.

Gary almost 7 years ago

I strongly support the current plan for the back of curb location of the shared path. let's face it - our suburbs only have finite space to meet multiple community needs, and this plan seems to achieve a good balance of meeting our needs and requirements for moving around by car, bicycle, walking, skating, etc, in the beautiful environment that we all love to live near, and should preserve for future generations. Looking forward to taking my grandchildren for a ride along the missing link!

Jan almost 7 years ago

I am against the narrowing of beach rd. I travel daily along beach Rd to work and back and have noticed the increased traffic congestion. Increase apartment developments in the area will further increase congestion. So why would we want to narrow beach rd. Take a look at stkilda foreshore and Beaconsfield parade, they have done a great job. Don't take the cheap way out. Local resident Tony M.

Tony M almost 7 years ago

The local vegetation should be kept as much as possible and the shared bike path should be made along the roadside with a vegetation buffer as shown to us in the plans at the council information night 18 May 2017

Karl and Barbara almost 7 years ago

The current proposal by Council for narrowing of Beach rd in order to construct the Baytrail is based on the need to preserve a small amount of low quality vegetation as defined by the Council's own ecology consultant. The high quality vegetation is not close to the roadside.
By narrowing Beach rd. the safety of cyclists is reduced and the difficulty for car driving increased. This is the trade off in a nutshell. Some poor quality vegetation in exchange potentially for peoples' lives. The death of a pedestrian at the crossing outside the Mentone Life Saving Club a few years ago should not be forgotten.

Jilly almost 7 years ago

I can see very few issues, if any, with the narrowing of Beach Road to accommodate the new section of the Bay Trail. It will be in line with the Bayside section of Beach Road and I have no issue with this section (with family in Black Rock I have used this road of the past 20 years on a regular sometimes daily basis). The big difference with Bayside is the that the roadside parking on the northbound side has been prohibited and I feel that Kingston MUST have the same parking restrictions; this will make the raod much safer particularly for cyclists. I would like to see the vegetation on the cliff top kept to the maximum, I would view the loss of any as a real shame but I do realise that some must go. I have lived in Kingston for over 40 years of my 60 plus and as a schoolgirl would cross the road from MGGS to sketching class in the "bush" on the cliff ....... My teachers taught us that it was important to have that vegetation, and this is important to me.
Thankyou
Jillian Van
Aspendale

Jilly almost 7 years ago

I think that completing the Bay Trail is important and support the current proposal. If we can reasonably preserve native vegetation then we should do so. I believe the narrowing of the road is comfortably within VicRoads standards and references to concerns regarding cyclists do not make a lot of sense to me. Most times when I drive on Bay Road one needs to leave the whole inside lane to cyclists and if the lane is narrowed a little then I would think that motorists are less inclined to try to 'squeeze' past the cyclists and will have to move into the outside lane. I also note that this road has already been narrowed in other sections.

Paul B almost 7 years ago

I do not support any plan which will result in the narrowing of Beach Rd from Mentone LSC to Mordialloc to accommodate a bike path.
It is already to dangerous to drive along Beach Rd with the increase of bike riders over recent years.
The cyclists who ride along Beach Rd will not be using the Bay trail as they will have to share it with pedestrians, the Bay trail will only be used by purely recreational riders, who are willing to share it with pedestrians, not those who ride the Road.
The loss of some scrub and trees is a small price to pay for safety. The majority of foliage that would be lost is of poor standard, and as a percentage of the total foliage, the loss would be very small. Most of the scrub is overgrown and weed infested and cannot be used for recreation.
I object to a group of Councilors using their majority to over ride the wishes of the community, on an issue which was previously resolved.

David almost 7 years ago

I do not support councils plans for the bay trail

Mel Jenkins almost 7 years ago

Finishing the bay trail is very important because it will make it safer for pedestrians and bicycle riders. Narrowing the road will make it safer and the cyclists can use the trail if it is wide enough to overtake. There is no reason not to narrow the road and it will be a better outcome with a narrower road.

AP almost 7 years ago

As a resident we oppose this council plan to narrow Beach road as it is dangerous to have a bike path and walking path close to a roadway. It is busy all the time more so in summer with people parking in side streets adjacent to Beach Rd as we find cars parked there now and then they cross busy road to beach. The Mayor had a golden opportunity to vote against this proposal at the last meeting which I attended, Mr. Mayor there were a lot of angry people opposing your vote. Do the right thing, change the plan and cut the scrub out and move the path over. Leave Beach Road alone for parking as there is a need for cars to park parallel to the road way. Twenty years in planning is a ridiculous way to treating rate payers. Finish the Bay Trail as planned - move it well off the roadway. This vegetation is a scrub eye sore. The feed of traffic from Warrigul Road from the North is where public stop and park in the summer time - this often unavailable and hard to come by.

John Dunn almost 7 years ago

I find that any narrowing of beach road to accomodate a joint walking/cycling trail is counter productive to safety and increases the pressure on parking in side streets.
Any loss of existing parking seems ludicrous, just to save some scrappy vegitation.

Alan R. Bell almost 7 years ago