To: Chris Bainbridge.
Thank you for considering this proposal for a bicycle track along the old, un-used railway line from Yarra Junction to Gladysdale, and talking with me today.
As you know there is no public transport between these places.
The children of Gladysdale need to ask their parents for car lifts to go to the High School , Steiner School and Recreation Centre at Yarra Junction. This puts alot of pressure on parents who are working and also means these young people are more likely to spend the time sitting around watching TV, playing computer games and eating too much!
With the epidemic problems of obesity and diabetes in young people this is very unfortunate, and indirectly costly to the community.
The Little Yarra highway is an extremely dangerous and busy highway to walk down, with logging trucks careering through at all speeds, as well as the frequent cars.
I believe that from a community mental and physical health point of view an extension of The Warburton trail to Gladysdale would be very helpful.
It will also minimise the risk of accidents from children hanging around on the road.
It will also bring more tourists who cycle into this part of the Yarra Ranges and extend a wonderful, well used facility.
This may not be as complicated as might seem, as there is an unused railway line behind the school that I have been told runs from Yarra Junction to Poweltown. How good would it be to make use of this track for a bicycle trail! All that work put in once would not be wasted....
I am a doctor who works at The Gawler Foundation and we have about 50 staff there, plenty of whom live locally...many of us would then be able to cycle to work and improve our own health....as well as save the carbon emissions from unnecessary car trips.
Thanks for investigating this very helpful possibility.
I am presently organising the local community to express this request in the form of a petition.
your sincerely,
Ruth
Dr Ruth Gawler
Insight Health Services
