Residents are wanting a footpath constructed along Hogans Rd between Rosemary Court and Lake Mulwala and they are sick and tired of some motorists using it as a drag strip.
In 2015, the Chronicle wrote several articles about the Hogans Road track issues with a dedicated Hogans Road Walk/ Cycle Track Group that was set up to combat the dangers.
In December of the same year the walking cycling track between the Murray Valley Highway and Rosemary Court was constructed however as the area continues to grow and housing developments continue to arise there is still no adequate pedestrian pathway to safely link the growing residential areas to main roads.
Resident of Hogan’s Road Raina Holm, who has a young family, is at her wits end that she and her partner have assembled a sign outside their property hoping to at least deter those speeding along the lengthy stretch of road.
“The reason my partner and I put up that sign is because cars just fly down Hogans road,” Ms Holm said.
“I have young children and because my backyard is small, we play a lot out the front with the bikes and stuff.
“If a car speeding their way down Hogan’s Road hit my child or someone else even an adult, they would kill them or seriously injure them.
“There are also no footpaths for safe walking, so imagine walking with a pram, a child on a bike and a dog; then you have to try walk safely with cars who just don’t move over and are speeding.
“Especially in holiday times, it’s very scary and frustrating.
“I feel people are just selfish and inconsiderate of people and children when going down Hogans Rd.
“I moved here four years ago, and it’s gotten worse because it’s not being patrolled as much or at all like it used to. Even people who visit us from Shepparton say how horrific the traffic is.”
In February 2021 a five-kilometre Yarrawonga Tourism Trail which runs from the current main traffic bridge at the end of Belmore Street along Lake Mulwala to The Sebel was opened as a connection between the centre of town and the east with further pathways between the Sebel and the end of Hogans Road also completed later in the year.
A representative from the original Hogans Road Walk/Cycle Track Committee also voiced her concerns about the lack of safety measures and how the subject was breached six years ago in 2015 but to no avail.
“In 2015 a group of locals from Woodlands met and went to a council meeting regarding the Hogans Rd walking track,” the representative said.
“The track was constructed and couldn’t be extended further as the land was privately owned. At the time there was discussion with Silverwoods owners about walking tracks running through their property.
“Council also advised us that the private landowners on the opposite side of the road to the existing track would be asked if some of their land could be used for an extension of the track.
“Now my concerns are that there is an increase in traffic particularly over warmer periods. Many cars/utes/trucks/ tow boats (some of them very large) use the Hogans Road boat ramp which seems to be popular.
“Over summer the amount of people who are staying in the area in their holiday homes and go for a walk down to the lake as exercise triples.
“I believe other boat ramps have been renovated to suit bigger boats as bigger, wider boats are more prevalent and when there is a car coming in the opposite direction the road is not wide enough to accommodate both.
“More houses have also now been built – there are more young families living in the area, walking, bike riding, parents with prams etc. The current track is great but not long enough obviously.
“Another issue is that walkers along Hogans Road are at risk in the evening as there is limited lighting and some walkers and runners wear dark clothing. It is difficult for motorists to see them.
“Lastly a planned retirement village was proposed for the previous Woodlands Store and accommodation property. This would bring more residents to the area and some may have mobility aids and/or mobility scooters.
“There are proposed developments along Hogans (the opposite side of the road to the current track) which would provide the council with opportunities to ensure there are suitable width pathways to accommodate walkers and cyclists.”
Moira Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Josh Lewis said the path on Hogans Road from the Murray Valley Highway to Rosemary Court is now located wholly within the Silverwoods estate, along the newly constructed roads.
“The road reserve north from Rosemary Court towards the lake is currently not wide enough until kerb and channel is constructed, and drainage is completed,” Mr Lewis said.
“Council anticipates this work will commence as subdivision development occurs.”
General Manager of Lotus Living, Daniel Smith agreed the current footpath is wholly on Silverwoods land and said a permanent footpath will be constructed through Silverwoods however an extension to the lake would be under council jurisdiction.
“There is currently a temporary footpath between the highway and Rosemary court while construction is underway however there will be a permanent footpath through Silverwoods that will exit at the north east corner,” Mr Smith said.
“This will all happen within the next two to three months as the subdivision is completed.
“If there is to be an extension on that, council would deal with the further works.”
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