BARWON Heads students have caught the government\u2019s attention over plans to build their own community bike track.<\/p>\n
Kardinia International College student Freddie Imhoff, 13, and Barwon Heads Primary School student Albert Imhoff, 9, are leading the charge to gain the City of Greater Geelong\u2019s support.<\/p>\n
The brothers have teamed up with fellow students to lobby for local government funding and endorsement to build their own \u2018Discovery Bike Path\u2019 at Barwon Heads \u2018Pirate Park\u2019.<\/p>\n
The Discovery Bike Path has been a dream in the making, with Freddie first raising the proposal in Grade 6.<\/p>\n
Now gaining traction, Freddie\u2019s mission has caught the attention of Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson who met with students earlier this month, as well as helping up to 15 students arrange a meeting with the City of Greater Geelong councillors and Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur dream started three years ago when we painted this totem pole which would mark the start of the bike track,\u201d Freddie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to build our own bike track with the help of a project manager, to allow the children of Barwon Heads to contribute to the community themselves and stand with other communities who value working together in an environmentally friendly way \u2013 outdoors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Henderson said she was delighted to see the positive impact the students\u2019 campaign was having in the costal town.<\/p>\n
\u201cI fully support a Barwon Heads bike path and hope this dream becomes a reality,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The ambitious team of locals first spoke with council during the City of Greater Geelong\u2019s recent meeting hosted in Highton, before councillors visited the students again in Barwon Heads.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really positive to see young people taking an interest in the future of their town and advocating for improved facilities,\u201d Cr Asher said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have encouraged the boys to have their say on the draft Village Park Master Plan, to make it clear that they would like to see the proposed bike track included in the final plan and that they are keen to be involved in the design.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the recommendations under the current draft plans is to, \u201cdevelop a designated bike discovery area in partnership with the community to support the creation, use and maintenance of a safe and challenging bike experience for kids in the area north of the playspace\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis initiative would be great for the Barwon Heads community and I will keep advocating for council to fund the project,\u201d Freddie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents getting involved in local infrastructure is a fantastic step forward in all senses of the word \u2013 increasing empowerment and taking pride in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The draft Barwon Heads Village Master Plan is available for community feedback until June 11.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BARWON Heads students have caught the government\u2019s attention over plans to build their own community bike track. Kardinia International College student Freddie Imhoff, 13, and Barwon Heads Primary School student Albert Imhoff, 9, are leading the charge to gain the City of Greater Geelong\u2019s support. The brothers have teamed up with fellow students to lobby […]<\/p>\n