Community consultation conducted as part of the 2021-2022 Community and Wellbeing Plan, identified the need for better cycling and walking infrastructure.

The Peninsula Trails project directly addresses this community priority, aiming to improve quality of life through increased access to safe, open spaces that support active living.

Once complete, the network will connect many townships, parks, and coastal areas, enabling easier and safer access for all and contributing to ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’ that reduce our reliance on cars.

Boosting tourism and economic growth: The completed trails will attract a new wave of visitors, including off-peak and mid-week tourists, supporting local businesses and creating job opportunities.

Enhanced community well-being: Accessible, safe open spaces encourage physical activity and offer mental health benefits by allowing more residents to enjoy the Peninsula’s natural beauty.

Expanding recreational options: The trails could provide an array of experiences, from guided eco-tours to culturally rich Aboriginal heritage tours, wine and food routes, and scenic cycling paths.

Creating a lasting legacy: As a long-term investment, this project will leave a lasting legacy for future generations, ensuring recreational and educational opportunities continue to thrive.

In late 2023, a Strategic Plan was developed to guide the Peninsula Trails’ implementation, defining a vision, guiding principles, and a phased action plan.

This strategic plan was adopted by Council earlier this year and one of the priority actions was to develop a Masterplan which outlines options to connect the missing sections.

Access the Strategic Plan: Peninsula Trails

The Masterplan is an overarching document that evaluates and describes the highest ranked route options (alignments) to connect the missing sections of the Peninsula Trails.

There has been a robust evaluation framework developed that uses a clear, step-by-step approach to assess trail connection options based on specific trail objectives. A score has been assigned to each route and the Masterplan outlines this highest ranked option.

The evaluation framework has been designed to:

• Carefully assess different trail connection options using the information we have.
• Compare the options based on objectives that reflect the Guiding Principles of the trails.
• Include input from stakeholders and experts gathered during the Peninsula Trails engagement process.
• Make the evaluation process open and transparent.
  
• Allow decisions to be revisited if new information or changes arise.

We’re now seeking your feedback on the draft Masterplan and connection options as community insights are essential in refining the Masterplan to ensure the trails are designed to meet local needs. We want to know if there is anything we’ve missed or not considered as part of this process.

There are two ways to provide feedback:

1. Our interactive maps for each missing section. You can ‘drop a pin’ directly onto the map to add in your commentary and additional information for the local area that needs to be considered.
2. Complete our survey which asks specific questions about the process we’ve been through to develop this Masterplan.

Following all the community input the project team will take on board all the additional insights and considerations to further refine the Masterplan document. This will then be taken to Council for a decision to release for Public Exhibition with a final opportunity to feedback before it is presented to Council for adoption.

After the Masterplan is adopted by Council, each section will move into a concept design phase with further investigations, data collection, assessments and further targeted consultation.