A PLAN to link Melton and Wyndham through the expansion of a cycling and walking trail along the Werribee River has been given preliminary support by both councils.
Under the draft Werribee River shared trail strategy, the path will run from Presidents Park in Wyndham Vale along the Riverbend Historical Park through to Melton Reservoir in Exford, and along Toolern Creek to the Western Freeway at Melton.
Wyndham councillor Heather Marcus said that when finished, the trail would provide a scenic three-metre-wide uninterrupted concrete pathway along the river. Funding for the project is expected to come from the councils, developers and state government.
Werribee River Association secretary John Forrester said an expanded trail would open people’s eyes to the river’s wonders.
“The paths along the river have already increased its accessibility to the public and allowed more people to appreciate its natural values,” he said. “An extended shared trail will allow people to see Eynesbury’s grey box forest and the volcanic gorges south of Exford.
“Over the years, there’s been a steady increase in the dollars being spent on the river through the planting of native trees, weed removal and clean-up projects, but there’s still an enormous amount of people who don’t know what it has to offer.”
Melton Bushwalkers Group president Terry Manning said the expansion of the trail was an excellent opportunity.
“There are remnants of volcanic eruptions from millions of years ago and they should be left undisturbed and available for people to view, as a point of history of Melton.
“We certainly need these things [additional trails].”
