By KATH GANNAWAY
A VISIT to Warburton by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy last week confirmed that the Liberal Party is as keen as ever to see the town become a centre of cycling excellence.
The Liberal Government’s $3.25 million pre-election commitment to the project, which includes a world-class mountain bike park and 97 kilometres of new tracks linking the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail and O’Shannassy Aqueduct trail, came to nothing when they lost the November election.
But, the hope among proponents of the project is that the merit and cost/benefit ratio outlined in the feasibility study that secured that commitment, will be compelling enough to get bi-partisan support.
The visit on Wednesday by Mr Guy and Eildon MP, Cindy McLeish, was part of a Yarra Valley issues catch-up which included meeting with winegrowers in Healesville to talk about smoke-taint and apple growers in Gladysdale about funding to ward off fruit bats.
At Warburton, the meeting was with representatives of Yarra Ranges Council which has committed $500,000 towards the project, Upper Yarra Community Enterprise which has pledged $300,000, and business, community and cycling groups, including members of the Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers.
A keen cyclist who admitted to finding himself on a long walk back to Mount Evelyn after getting a puncture on the Warburton Trail some time ago, Mr Guy was clearly already a convert to the cycling cause.
Comparisons to other parts of the world where similar cycle hubs are reaping huge benefits from cycle-generator tourism brought an enthusiastic response, but the elephant in the room was tackled by O’Shannassy Ward representative, Cr Jim Child.
“It’s great to see you,” Cr Child said.
“Now, how can you help this project along?”
Mr Guy said the Opposition would continue to raise the project in State Parliament and suggested a show of community support with a ride into parliament.
In response to projections of a $23 million annual benefit to the area against the initial $4m investment and the likelihood of it being included in the upcoming budget, Mr Guy said he hoped it would, but was not expecting it to be.
“You would hope they would see the merit in the project.
“I don’t think anyone is trying to politicise it, this but on cost ratio benefits I would think this is one that stacks up.”
However, Damian Auton, president of Yarra Ranges Mountainbikers, said his group was definitely hoping the budget would get the project on track sooner rather than later.
Mr Auton said his group was lobbying the government, as well as talking with Yarra Ranges Council who are also lobbying for the project.
A spokesman for the Premier’s Department said they were happy to meet with Yarra Ranges Council and discuss their priorities … “especially for projects that stack up financially and economically”.
“Our priority will be deliver on the many commitments that we made to the Victorian community, however if we can do more we will,” he said.
