Bike, foot traffic flowing along Aqualink

A NEW active transport path from Darley to Maddingley Park has officially opened.

Launched last Saturday morning 28 June, the Aqualink pedestrian and cycling corridor runs from the end of Nelson Street, Darley to Maddingley Park, and includes activity nodes to do along the way.

Leading an inaugural stroll just after 10am were members of local Heart Foundation walking group, The Marshans. They set off from Darley and were met with a free barbecue and hot drinks at the other end of the trail.

Moorabool Shire mayor Cr Paul Tatchell and the Member for Eureka Michaela Settle declared the corridor open, which was a partnership project delivered by local and State governments and Southern Rural Water.

“These types of projects aren’t huge money projects in the grand scheme of things, but the impacts and the difference that they make to communities is big,” Ms Settle said.

“This is about taking something and turning it into something magic for the whole community to use for a long time.

“Let’s hope this encourages more people in the community to get out and walk, and enjoy this wonderful trail. It’s wonderful to see Aqualink up and ‘walking’.”

Cr Tatchell said the path has been a “long-term strategic vision.”

“The freeway divided Bacchus Marsh in half, so this is going to make a big difference by bringing the town back together… The original Bacchus Marsh,” he said.

“It’s all about connecting one side to the other, it’s all about health, it’s all about people joining together in the community.

“This is exactly the type of project we do need. I can’t be any more grateful to Southern Rural Water, the engineering department, and everyone that’s worked on this. It takes a village.”

Southern Rural Water managing director Cameron FitzGerald said the water authority prides itself on improving infrastructure for its customers.

“We have pipe systems that are now much more efficient and increase our delivery of service from about 50 to 60 per cent of water taken out of the river, reaching the end customer, to now getting close to 90 per cent through these pipe systems,” he said.

“That’s opened up an opportunity for partnership here with council, the State Government, and the community to do something great.

“While we are the managers of the water cycle, we’ve been able to add another part to that.

“I’m so proud to have played a role in this. We pride ourselves on the broader community value we try to create and I’d like to thank everybody for their support for this project. “What a wonderful day.”