Video
BAXTER-SOMERVILLE TRAIL FRP BOARDWALK
This video focuses on Treadwell’s FRP boardwalk contribution to the Baxter-Somerville Trail, part of the wider Peninsula Trails Project on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The trail is part of a major connected walking and cycling network designed to improve safety, strengthen links between local communities and provide a scenic active transport route for pedestrians, walkers and cyclists.
The broader Peninsula Trails vision is a 170 km connected trail network linking the Mornington Peninsula to Melbourne. Mornington Peninsula Shire describes the Somerville to Baxter section as a fully funded 4.6 km shared user path and the first priority missing link of the Peninsula Trails project.
As part of this infrastructure project, JA Carpentry was engaged to construct a boardwalk and selected Treadwell as its FRP partner. Treadwell provided the design, manufacture and supply of the FRP products, delivering a lightweight and low-maintenance solution suited to the demands of an outdoor shared path environment.
Key Features
Supports a major connected trail network
The Baxter-Somerville Trail forms part of the Peninsula Trails Project, which is planned as a 170 km continuous trail linking the Mornington Peninsula to Melbourne. This makes the boardwalk part of a wider active transport and recreation network rather than a standalone access structure.
Improves safety for pedestrians and cyclists
The Somerville to Baxter Trail is being delivered as a scenic shared user path for walking and riding between Somerville and Baxter. Mornington Peninsula Shire describes it as a new scenic way to walk or ride between the two communities.
Strengthens community connections
The trail helps link local communities and supports the broader Peninsula Trail objective of connecting townships, coastal areas, hinterland routes and existing trail networks across the region.
Lightweight FRP construction
Treadwell’s FRP products are well suited to boardwalk construction because they are lightweight compared with many traditional materials. This can simplify handling, transport and installation, especially in outdoor or constrained project sites.
Low maintenance outdoor performance
FRP is suitable for public infrastructure where long-term maintenance needs to be reduced. The boardwalk application benefits from FRP’s resistance to corrosion, rust and rot, which is particularly useful in exposed outdoor trail environments.
Design, manufacture and supply support
Treadwell’s role covered the design, manufacture and supply of the FRP products. This gave JA Carpentry a specialist FRP partner for the boardwalk portion of the infrastructure project.
Suitable for shared path infrastructure
The project supports pedestrian, walking and cycling movement as part of an off-road trail connection. Public shared path infrastructure requires materials that can support safety, durability and ongoing public use.
Contributes to tourism and active transport outcomes
Mornington Peninsula Shire describes the broader Peninsula Trail as a project that will unlock tourism, local jobs and economic growth while creating connected walking and cycling routes.
Applications
Shared use trail boardwalks
The Baxter-Somerville boardwalk is relevant to shared trail projects where pedestrians, walkers and cyclists need a safe and clearly defined route through sections that may require elevated or protected access.
Active transport corridors
The trail forms part of an off-road walking and cycling connection that will help people move between communities and eventually connect through to larger regional trail networks.
Community connection projects
The project is suited to councils and infrastructure teams looking to connect towns, neighbourhoods and recreational destinations with safe public pathways.
Outdoor public infrastructure
Treadwell’s FRP boardwalk products are suitable for outdoor environments where corrosion, moisture exposure, weathering and long-term maintenance must be considered.
Boardwalk construction by civil and carpentry contractors
The project shows how contractors such as JA Carpentry can work with Treadwell as an FRP design, manufacture and supply partner, while completing the on-site construction works.
Missing link trail upgrades
Mornington Peninsula Shire identifies the Somerville to Baxter Trail as the first of the priority missing links of the Peninsula Trails project to be fully funded. This makes it a useful example for other staged trail network upgrades.
Scenic pedestrian and cycling routes
The project supports safe, scenic movement through the Mornington Peninsula, helping improve the user experience for walkers, cyclists and local communities.
Long-term council assets
FRP boardwalks can support councils and asset owners seeking durable public infrastructure that reduces the burden of ongoing maintenance compared with more maintenance-intensive materials.
Why Choose Treadwell ?
Treadwell was selected as the trusted FRP partner for the boardwalk because the project required a lightweight, low-maintenance solution suitable for demanding outdoor conditions. By providing design, manufacture and supply of the FRP products, Treadwell helped support the boardwalk component of a major regional trail infrastructure project.
Through NatureTREAD™, Treadwell supports public infrastructure projects including boardwalks, pedestrian bridges, coastal access structures, ramps and related outdoor access systems. NatureTREAD™ positions its FRP boardwalks as suitable for environments such as wetlands, dunes, riverbanks, reserves and public trails where access and environmental performance both matter.
The Baxter-Somerville Trail project shows how Treadwell’s FRP systems can support connected public infrastructure, not only by supplying durable materials, but by helping contractors deliver boardwalk structures that are practical to install and suited to long-term use.
For councils, contractors and trail infrastructure teams, Treadwell offers FRP design support, manufacturing capability and product supply for boardwalks and shared path projects. On projects like the Baxter-Somerville Trail, that means public access infrastructure that supports safety, community connection, active transport and lower long-term maintenance.
