Moorabool Shire Council and Southern Rural Water announced this week that they have entered into a partnership to deliver the first stages of Aqualink Cycling and Walking Corridor (Aqualink).
Aqualink is a walking and cycling corridor that connects residents and visitors through to the Bacchus Marsh township and its main attractions and services.
The project is part of Moorabool Shire Council’s vision to create connected and liveable communities as it grows and expands to meet urban growth in the area. Partnering with Southern Rural Water as part of its irrigation upgrades and modernisation project has been a great way to see this vision come to life.
As part of SRW’s modernisation project, 4.5kms of channel network has now been replaced with underground pipelines. This has allowed the Aqualink walking and cycling path to be built above providing an off-road track that connects Darley to Maddingley. It will also connect to an upgraded shared path from Bacchus Marsh Train Station to Main Street.
Aqualink’s proposed 4.5km path network will be constructed in five sections effectively connecting the township from the Lerderderg River in the north to the Werribee River in the south.
Construction of the path for Aqualink East started in May. Moorabool Shire Council and Southern Rural Water have now entered into an agreement to construct the northern section of Aqualink in September this year.
Moorabool Shire Council will deliver the Aqualink project with funding from the Federal Government, the Transport Accident Commission, and the State Government.
MSC Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan: “This is a fantastic project that will create a community link and improve connections between our open spaces and our community and educational facilities. We thank both the Federal and State Governments for their contributions to date, and hope to attract more funding in the future to complete this amazing project.”
SRW Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald: “SRW is pleased to partner with Moorabool Shire Council to deliver this terrific project which enables our old channel reserve to serve the local community in an exciting new way.”
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle: “An off-road trail between Darley, Bacchus Marsh and Maddingley will support healthy lifestyles, connect the train station safely and will be a great family weekend activity.”
For more information, please visit the project website: https://moorabool.engagementhub.com.au/aqualink