A petition bearing over 800 signatures has been tabled in State Parliament asking the Allan Labor Government when it will deliver on its 2020 commitment to build a shared bicycle / pedestrian pathway between Marlo and Cape Conran.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who tabled the petition in Parliament, said after five years the project should be well and truly finished, but it has not even commenced.

“In September 2020, the Labor Government announced $7.15 million from bushfire recovery funding, along with $6 million from the Victorian Great Outdoors program for these projects.

“Like many other promises, here we are five years later without a sod being turned and in a complete state of limbo with both projects.

“Both Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, and myself lobbied hard for these projects post the fires to assist in our recovery and making sure infrastructure was built that would improve our region as a destination.

“In making the announcement, then Environment Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, said ‘connecting essential services to the site will protect the environment, make the tourism offer sustainable into the future, and provide opportunities to improve the quality of service Parks Victoria offers at Cape Conran Coastal Park’.

“Labor is good at putting out press releases, but very poor at following through with any action and we have seen that in relation to many issues.

“What is disappointing is Labor has two Upper House MPs and Cape Conran is in their electorate, but both Harriet Shing and Tom McIntosh remain completely silent on the matters of undelivered promises.

“Five years on we have nothing done and no movement and I hope the tabling of this petition puts some wheels in motion,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: The Nationals’ MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has tabled a petition bearing over 800 signatures in Victorian Parliament calling on the Allan Labor Government to deliver its 2020 commitment to build the Marlo to Cape Conran shared path.

Monday, 26 May 2025