Showing posts with label Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail. Show all posts

Tuesday 20 October 2020

Let's build the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail

Let's build the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail - I have been advocating for this for twenty years.

If elected to the City of Boroondara I will continue to work with Boroondara BUG, MeBUG and the Department of Transport to get this shared path built for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages. 

The path will provide safe travel and recreation for locals and visitors and will enable students to ride to over 20 schools and other education institutions in Boroondara.

The path will also connect the Yarra Trail to the Anniversary Trail and the Box Hill to Ringwood bike path and would run though Maling Ward connecting Surrey Hills to Camberwell.


After we submitted a petition to the Victorian Parliament, Paul Hamer MP secured $370,000 for a feasibility study which the Department of Transport is now completing. I have provided input to this as a BBUG rep along with MeBUG reps. 

The aim is get the project to "shovel ready" so funds can be allocated for construction to start in 2021. 

Over 1200 people have signed this petition to the Mayors of Whitehorse Council and Boroondara Council requesting their support and to funding for the trail so their is very strong local support for this well overdue shared path.

This will be a priority concern for me if I am elected to Council. 

Tuesday 13 October 2020

Locals have contacted me about trees on nature strips, garbage collection and bike tracks for kids

Several locals in Maling Ward of Boroondara Council have contacted me over the last few weeks. Here are some of their concerns.  If elected, I will raise all these matters on Council.

Street trees: Roots from a Plane tree (Plantanus) on a resident's nature strip are destroying their fence foundations and the footpath and they don't like the fine particles from the tree that cause throat irritation.  While Plane trees look attractive and can provide good shade, they require constant costly trimming when planted under power lines. Residents should have a choice of tree on their nature strip - suitable native trees provide better habitat for native birds and animals.

Plane tree in Theatre Place, Maling Road

Waste collection: More residents have raised concern that the fortnightly collection of the general waste bin will cause problems with odours over the hot summer months.

Bike tracks for kids: there are currently very few bike tracks for children in Maling Ward. The south end of Shrublands Creek Reserve tucked away off Faversham Road has informal bike tracks and is not visited by many people other than locals walking their dogs.  This could be enhanced to provide a good small bike park.  This could also reduce the recent damage to planted areas of South Surrey Park that have been uprooted to form informal bike tracks.

Tuesday 29 September 2020

Video - why I am running for Maling Ward in Boroondara

 Here's my video of why I am running for Maling Ward in 2020, including:

  • action on climate change
  • building the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail
  • open and transparent local government
  • supporting local traders
  • sustainable transport
  • protecting and improving our environment, parks and open spaces.  
Boroondara must shift from laggard to leader on climate change and sustainability.


You can also read more about why I am running [here]

Authorised by Peter Campbell, 81A Durham Road, Surrey Hills 3127

Tuesday 22 September 2020

My response to Boroondara Bicycle Users Group survey - Boroondara need more shared paths and safe cycling infrastructure

I have submitted my response the survey from the Boroondara Bicycle Users Group today. We need more safe shared cycling and pedestrian paths in Boroondara. In particular, we need the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail built. 

You can read my submission to BBUG [here] 

I have been a member of the Boroondara Bicycle Users Group for over 20 years


You can sign the petition to support Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail [here]

Authorised by Peter Campbell, 81A Durham Road, Surrey Hills 3127


Monday 15 October 2012

On my bike and in poll position!

The Boroondara Review, a local newspaper, has just published an article and one of the reasons I am standing for Council - the provision of safer shared pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to create a better network throughout Boroondara.

Peter Campbell cycling on Rathmines Road. Photo: Stephen McKenzie

Boroondara Council has a key role for advocating for the provision of infrastructure. If elected, I will pursue the opportunity to provide a safe family-friendly shared pedestrian and bike trial through Boroondara connecting Hawthorn and Box Hill.
Most residents of Maling Ward I have spoken to during this campaign really want a safe trail for bikes and pedestrians along this route for local trips and tot connect with the Anniversary and Main Yarra Trails.
I am participating in the Ride to Work Day this Wednesday 17/10 and having breakfast at the Hawthorn Velodrome in Boroondara.  I hope to see you there.
Links

Saturday 29 September 2012

Out and about in Maling Ward

Today I visited some fine local cafes and did some door knocking to meet some residents of Maling Ward.  I visited Mick at Cafe Biscotti next to South Surrey Park, who told me that Council is planning to extend a garden bed on the footpath.  Some drivers have come out of Through Road opposite and mounted the footpath here thinking it is a road.  Mick has suggested a handrail along the kerbside to prevent this.  There is a need for more consultation here.


I next visited Peter at Wilson & Walsh in Maling Road, where you can get the best home made sausage rolls with salad in Melbourne, and great coffee.


A father was helping his young son cycle near the proposed route of the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail - a family-friendly shared pedestrian and bike path that could connect Surrey Hills to Box Hill and back to Camberwell and Hawthorn.


Some children were cycling on the safety of Canterbury Sportsground off Guildford Road.


The bike lane on Mont Albert Road looks good, but doesn't work well when cars park in it as they frequently do.  I don't think this is safe for children to ride on.


Finally, I had a nice lunch and coffee at the Red Brick Cafe in Mont Albert Road.  Local cafes are very popular with residents for coffee, snacks and meals.



Some residents invited me in for a chat and a coffee.  Most were very supportive of the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail.   Some raised concerns about Council removing native flowering gums from nearby streets.  Some were concerned about increased rates and noted that property values had decreased recently in the area from the height of the recent boom.  Concerns about inappropriate development and loss of heritage homes was again mentioned by many residents.

I had a nice time, and made it home before the storms came through.

Thursday 6 September 2012

My talk on the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail at the SHNC AGM

I was invited to speak on behalf of the Boroondara Bicycle Users Group about the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre (SHNC) Annual General Meeting on 5 September 2011.

The SHNC has three cycling groups that do regular rides around Boroondara, from short social rides up to 70km trips across and out of Melbourne.

The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail is a proposal for a family friendly safe cycling and pedestrian route that would connect many schools and activity centres through the middle of Boroondara in an east-west direction.



I emphasised that there is a chronic lack of a safe cycling route east-west through Boroondara.   A route that connects the Yarra, West Hawthorn, Glenferrie Road, Auburn Road shopping centre, Camberwell Junction, Maling Road, Union Road shops through to Box Hill could be used for a variety of local trips.

It would also be great for children who are learning to ride, and for families who like to ride on a route free from cars.

Cycling with my daughter Chloe along the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail Route

There were over 50 people at the AGM, many of who cycle regularly.  All were keen to use sections of this route.

The City of Boroondara has added this route to their Bicycle Strategy, but much of the route following the train line to Box Hills is controlled by the Victorian State Government via VicTrack and VicRoads.  So far, the Victorian Government has been unwilling to develop this route, despite support from Finance Minster and member for Box Hill Robert Clark (for the portion of the route in his electorate).

If elected to Maling Ward, I will advocate to and work with the Victorian Government to realise the fantastic opportunity that this route offers to local residents.

You can also read my submission to the Bicycle Network Victoria survey of candidates here]

More information