Darebin Bridge
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The long overdue Darebin Bridge over the Yarra River has overcome the big hurdle at VCAT. Parks Victoria now has the permits it needs to begin detailed design.
Tribunal rules for Darebin Bridge go-ahead
7 August 2009. The legal battle has been won and the opponents vanquished: the path is now clear for the development of Melbourne's most awaited piece of bike infrastructure.
This week the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) approved the issuing of permits for the Lower Darebin Trail and associated bridge over the Yarra.
Finally there will be a connection from Heidelberg Road in Alphington through to Willsmere Park, connecting with the Main Yarra Trail in Kew.
When constructed in several years' time the trail will open up a vastly improved route and attract a new generation of riders to the pleasures of riding Melbourne's creek and river environments.
The VCAT decision brings to an end a multi-year wrestle with an ill-informed and bloody-minded group of opponents.
According to VCAT: "The permit applications are the culmination of many years of work and, we find, represent well considered, sensitive and thorough concept and revegetation plans.
"The construction of a connection between the Darebin Creek Trail and the Main Yarra River Trail is eagerly awaited by many and enjoys overwhelming policy and strategic support at State and local government levels.
"Arguments raised by the proposal’s opponents are not grounds upon which any of the planning permits for the trail should be rejected. Importantly, changes that have emerged through these proceedings have resolved a long standing impasse with respect to the LaTrobe Golf Club land.
"Overall, there will be a clear net community benefit by granting all three planning permits. Detailed design and management can address the few outstanding issues."
The proposed 1.8 kilometre route involves trail connections beneath the Heidelberg Road bridge to Sparks Reserve, into land that will be acquired from Alphington Grammar School and the LaTrobe Golf Club (between which the path would pass across the Creek and across the flats of the Napier Waller Reserve), and across the Yarra River into Willsmere Park (between the Billabong and sports fields).
The main trail would be three metres wide with landscaping, boardwalks, three bridges across the Darebin Creek and one across the Yarra River, drownout areas, safety barriers/flood activated gates, emergency access, various forms of fencing and a fish ladder.
Bicycle Victoria CEO Harry Barber said the victory showed what strong and unswerving commitment from members could achieve.
"This was one of our biggest campaigns and the members never wavered despite the many setbacks and delays. The day that bridge opens will be one of the proudest in our history".
Parks Victoria applied for planning permits to three Councils—the Cities of Banyule, Boroondara and Yarra in August 2007 to complete the missing link. All three permits were subsequently referred to VCAT by Parks Victoria.
“This is a fantastic and long anticipated outcome for local communities, and walkers and cyclists more broadly” said Cheryl Nagel, Manager Visitor Experiences for Parks Victoria.
“Once the trail is constructed, people will be able to walk, cycle or roller-blade on an easy gradient, sealed, off-road path alongside the Darebin creek and over the Yarra River to access the area’s beautiful parks, or to join the network of trails both to the north and south".
“We would like to acknowledge the willingness of the three Councils – Banyule, Boroondara and Yarra – to work with us to achieve this outcome.”
“Importantly we commend both Latrobe Golf Club and Alphington Grammar school for agreeing to sell to the State Government the land necessary to allow the final link in this trail to be achieved. This demonstrates substantial goodwill to the communities”.
Parks Victoria will now develop the detailed designs for the trail construction and arrange for the purchase of the required land, and then construct the trail.
The section to link the current end of the Darebin Trail, under Heidelberg road to Sparks Reserve in Ivanhoe will be the first part of the trail constructed. .
Hearing complete—now for the decision
28 July 2009. The final VCAT hearing on the permits for the bridge has been completed, with objectors failing to lay a glove on the Parks Victoria plan for the project.
The tribunal is expected to announce its decision in about a month.
As expected VCAT was told that the LaTrobe Golf Club had agreed to sell a critical parcel of land to the project, clearing the last remaining obstacle for the bridge to proceed to the design stage.
Should the Tribunal give the go ahead, complex and lengthy legal processes will begin to transfer property to Parks Victoria. These could take more than 12 months to complete.
Construction of the bridge could take several years after that, bringing to 17 years the total time since Bicycle Victoria began the campaign to get the bridge built.
Bridge plan leaps legal obstacle
9 April 2009. One of the obstacles standing in the way of the Darebin Bridge project—opposition by LaTrobe Golf Club—has been overcome with the club agreeing to negotiate the acquisition of land required by the development.
The club, located in Alphington abutting the Bridge site, had originally objected to the plans, but at the VCAT hearing in February announced that it had withdrawn its objection. Furthermore, the club agreed to enter into negotiations with Parks Victoria for the transfer of land needed for construction purposes.
The change of heart by the club has meant that Parks Victoria can now optimise the alignment of the Bridge and its approaches.
The proposed new plan will need to be assessed by VCAT and the remaining objectors before any final go-ahead can be made.
That will be in July.
Practice Hearing
4 December 2008 Parks Victoria's appeal to VCAT will go to a practice hearing tomorrow 5 December 2008. The purpose of the practice hearing is to consider progress of the application and to make any ‘procedural arrangements’ before the main Tribunal hearing in February.
The main hearing begins on 16 February 2009 and may run for seven days.
We will keep you informed.
Darebin Council commits to bridge battle
6 November 2008. Darebin Council will take its fight for the Darebin Bridge -- the missing link in Melbourne's cycling network -- to the formal hearing before VCAT (Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal)
“We’ve been looking forward to the completion of this project for many years. Darebin has done its part, now we want to see the final link approved,” General Manager Community Assets and Leisure, Geoff Glynn, said.
Parks Victoria has proposed a shared path route and bridge in Kew, to complete the link between the two trails. The matter will be decided by VCAT in December. Darebin is applying to appear at the VCAT hearing to argue in support of the proposal.
The ‘missing link’ would connect the Darebin Creek Trail with the Main Yarra Trail, meaning Darebin residents could ride all the way to the city along bike paths.
In recent years we’ve spent $930,000 on missing links in the Darebin Creek Trail, including building a bridge into Banyule over Darebin Creek.
The Council's full statement is here.
To see Darebin's Cycling Strategy annual progress report, click here.
Banyule getting busy
05 November 2008 The City of Banyule has received $340,000 from the State Government to construct the next piece of the puzzle along the Darebin Creek Trail.
This section of the will go under the Heidelberg Road Bridge and into Sparks Reserve.
With the recent progress being made further north at Darebin Rd, this new development will only add further pressure onto the Cities of Yarra and Boroondara to complete the Darebin Bridge.
The case is now scheduled to go before VCAT in February with the support of all three relevant councils (Banyule, Yarra and Boroondara) plus a number of government departments.
The campaign has not been won yet but the positives are stacking up.
Minister's letter
Sep 2008 Fiona Richardson the local member on the north side of the bridge has written to the Minister responsible for Parks Victoria Gavin Jennings and asked how things are going. Here is his reply.
Boroondara votes yes for Darebin Creek Trail. Finally.
17 June 2008 At midnight last Monday Boroondara’s Urban Planning Committee granted a planning permit to Parks Victoria to extend the Darebin Creek Trail over the Yarra River and to connect to the Main Yarra Trail via Willsmere Park, ending many years of Council indecision on the matter.
The vote in favour was 5 to 4. Councillors had previously heard some 40 public submissions.
Supporting councillors were Heinz Kreutz, Coral Ross, Dick Menting, Nicholas Tragas, and Mary Haliakias-Byrnes. The matter now goes to VCAT with a positive endorsement from the City of Boroondara, adding to the support from Yarra and Banyule.
Bicyle Victoria will keep you informed when the VCAT hearing gets underway.
Called in
5 June 2008. Parks Victoria has grasped the nettle and ‘called in’ the planning process for the Darebin Bridge and associate trials. The permits will now be considered by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
This will result in a single streamlined approvals process where the application and all the objections can be heard together, and the formal approval, when issued would have a uniform set of conditions.
The exercise of this little-used power by Parks Victoria was unexpected, but justified. Although the project had support from Yarra and Banyule councils, Boroondara had had exceeded the time allowed for a decision.
Boroondara may or may not have approved the Bridge plan at its planning committee on 2 June—there was an officers’ recommendation in favour. But it was too late.
We could see that even with Boroondara support, it was likely that others would object to the permits. On the map we noted opponents or potential opponents such as the school, golf club and local residents.
Parks Victoria’s action means, we understand, that all objectors will have to front VCAT in one hearing.
In the short term Parks Victoria has acted in the best interests of the project. The VCAT hearing will draw out all the opposition, so that it can be considered at the one time. A prompt VCAT ruling—hopefully in favour of the project—will put a stop to all the huffing and puffing and mark the start of action.
We expect that councils will be miffed by Parks Victoria cutting short their processes, especially as they were already (or nearly) supporters of the project. We would never deny that thorough community consultation is important.
There will be long term benefits from Parks Victoria’s emphatic action. It signals a new mood of decisiveness on the Government’s part. Investment in bike riding infrastructure looks to be moving up the priority list.
The VCAT hearing is the next milestone. We will keep you informed.
An article on the issue has appeared in The Age
Boroondara Planning Committee
3 June 2007. Last night the Boroondara Planning Committee met until midnight to hear both sides debate the Darebin Trail Yarra Bridge proposal.
There was general support for bike riding, paths and the concept of a north-south link, even from the ‘Antis’. The case against the specific proposal coalesced into two themes—claimed negative environmental impact, and supposed poor bike rider behaviour.
Local presenters drew attention to the fauna in the billabong area, some of which are categorized as threatened. Tortoises, platypus, black cockatoos, owls, possums, bats and the Azure Kingfisher were mentioned. The ecological value of the billabong was recognised by all while noting that the proposed path in fact has negligible environmental impact, being well removed from the actual areas. Councillors were told that RMIT students study the billabong area and overseas visitors come to see it.
The Council’s own ecology consultant, Dr Graeme Lorimer, told the meeting the area had survived dairy farming and a freeway. Some of the trees around the billabong predate white settlement. He said that the reduced bird breeding in the billabong was caused by the presence of dogs. The plans for the path would not compromise the important ecological values of the area, and cyclists, being quiet, have the least impact on wildlife of all likely path users, he said.
Bicycle Victoria has always supported protecting the ecological values of this area, as it has with other bike trail projects.
The second theme of the opposition was the alleged poor behaviour of bike riders, who were characterised—perhaps even demonised—as ‘commuters’. Riders were associated with cutting new path alignments, not warning pedestrians and riding at up to 60kph.
The ‘Antis’ sought to have the Council endorse a path in another location.
There has been a substantial amount of work done over the years to identify and evaluate alternative alignments. As the council’s officers reported to the meeting, the currently proposed ‘direct’ alignment, north from the underpass on Kilby Road and up across the Yarra at the end of the peninsula on the east side of the golf club, was the clear winner on many criteria. They said that ‘alternative alignments contained significant flaws not seen in the alignment proposed.’
The pro-path speakers, including Bicycle Victoria, concentrated on the opportunities for recreation and transport that the path will generate. They challenged the claim that the path would only be used by commuters and also challenged the idea that all commuters were irresponsible. Others endorsed the path including over-50s riding groups associated with both Council of the Ageing (COTA) and the Darebin BUG. Students who will graduate from Alphington Primary on the north bank and are zoned to go to Kew High School on the south side of the river will also make use of the path. Another speaker outlined the informal trips that kids will be able to make across to friend’s houses. Pro-path speakers emphasised their connections with park, bushwalking and restoration groups. Others reported on their responsible riding speeds providing a reality check on the claims of 60kph bike travel.
The Boroondara BUG drew attention to the value of the Yarra River valley for regional as well as local recreational, illustrated by the presence of many golf courses lining the river. Much public and private land has been allocated to golf courses over many years. Now we read in the media that ‘cycling is the new golf’! And to meet the needs of bike riding as a recreation a strip of land only four metres by 300 metres needs to be allocated from the Yarra Valley in Boroondara for the proposed path.
Councillors at the meeting raised questions about how to mitigate rider speed on the path. There was a worrying suggestion to install injury-causing bollards in the middle of the path. Be assured we will work to ensure that this does not occur. We did give the Council a commitment to help them with engineering and etiquette measures that will ensure all users help share the path.
29 May 2008
These are the wards for Boroondara residents.
Download a more detailed map.
Next Monday, 2 June 2008, the Darebin Bridge proposal will go before Boroondara Council for consideration. At this meeting all the Councillors, meeting as the Planning Committee, will consider submissions from members of the public at the meeting.
They will not vote at this meeting. They will vote two weeks later on 16 June 2008.
The Clock is ticking - Boroondara Council vote on 2 June the next hurdle
May 08 Boroondara City Council will vote on the Bridge and associated path proposal on 2 June.
We have spoken to the Councillors. One, Healy, remains resolutely opposed. Four have said they are in favour and the others have said that they will make up their mind when they read the paperwork submitted by the Council staff. They will receive this report from the staff tomorrow Friday 23 May 2008.
We will seek the commitment of the other Councillors next week and update Boroondara residents with an email. We will also update this page, so if you want to follow developments, click Email me updates above.
We recommend that residents put the date in the diary. If you only go to one Council meeting we strongly urge you to make it this one. Opponents to the bridge may be outspoken on the night so it is important for supporters and residents of Boroondara to show the Councillors that they support a 'Yes' vote.
In a positive development we have been told that the planning report prepared by Boroondara Council staff will recommend approval of the Parks Victoria application to build the path and bridge. The list of other supporting organisations includes: Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, VicRoads, Melbourne Water, Boroondara Bug, Darebin BUG as well as Bicycle Victoria.
We understand that officers at Yarra and Banyule, who have been delegated the decision by their Councillors, will approve the application in the near future.
If the Councils all endorse the application, this will put Parks Victoria in a strong position to finalise its planning process.
The Darebin Creek Trail moves further south.
May 08 With the recent funding and construction announcement by Parks Victoria and the City of Darebin to join the missing link in the Darebin Creek Trail near Darebin Rd, we can now say 'thank you' to Darebin City Council as their role in the Darebin Bridge project is done.
With this link now solved the spotlight swings further south along the trail.
From the tree into Sparks Reserve
The Darebin Creek trail currently ends in the City of Banyule. The orange piece at the top of your map is now complete. The short red section near the number 3 is where the trail currently ends.
To get past the tree and under the bridge Parks Victoria are negotiating to purchase a small parcel of land. This negotiation is progressing well.
If this negotiation is successful, Banyule has plans and funding in place to extend the path further south under Heidelberg Rd and into Sparks Reserve, on the north side of Darebin Creek. This work could get underway quite quickly.
The planning permit
The planning permit for the main project from Sparks Reserve to the Eastern Freeway was prepared by Parks Victoria and submitted to all three remaining councils: Banyule, Yarra and Boroondara.
Planning staff at the City of Yarra and Banyule have told us that both Councils are comfortable enough with the project and will let council officers make the decision whether to support the permit. We believe this is a positive sign. It suggests that neither Yarra nor Banyule have significant concerns with the project in their area.
The southern section of the project - from Number 6 on your map - leaves the CIty of Yarra on a bridge across the Yarra River and enters the City of Boroondara. The planning application will go to a vote before Boroondara Council on Monday 2 June.
Many residents wrote to the City of Boroondara during the period of public comment. There is a discrepancy between the many hundreds of CCed emails that we received - well done everyone - and the number that Boroondara report receiving.
Over the next two weeks we will be following this issue up as well as contacting the Councillors. We think the vote is 50:50 at the moment, some Councillors are clearly for and some against and some are keeping their cards close to their chest.
We will tell you what we find out in the next In the Loop. That will come out on 22 May which will give members and friends of Bicycle Victoria who live in Boroondara a chance to contact their Councillors if necessary.
Time to write - the signs are up
Mar08 We have asked residents of Yarra and Boroondara to write in support of the project to their Council. The period for public comment closes on March 18.
The detailed concept design in support of their planning application can be seen here.
Other supporting documents can be seen here.
Here are our submissions to the three Councils.
Feb08 Good news. There is movement at the station on the Darebin Bridge project. We have just received a note from Parks Victoria which includes the following:
'Parks Victoria lodged planning permit applications on the 31st of August, 2007 with the Banyule, Yarra and Boroondara Councils to complete the final section of the Darebin Creek Trail from Heidelberg Road to the Main Yarra Trail. Two of the three councils [Yarra and Boroondara] requested further information which has now been provided.'
This Q&A is what has pushed the timelines out from August until now. It might be a good sign that neither Council wanted more information about the alignment. Their concerns were about the size and shape of the bridge. This matter will now come formally before Councillors in these two Councils.
If you are a resident of these two Councils can you please write a short, positive note of support for the project. Your support as a ratepayer is vital to help us get over this hurdle. This public notification will be a signal for the opponents of the project to write as well!
Click here if you are a resident and make your view known.
Parks Victoria's note continued:
'The planning permit applications are now ready to proceed to public exhibition. The public exhibition period will extend from the 4th of March till the 18th of March. Notification of the public exhibition period will be placed in the Heidelberg, Melbourne/Yarra and Progress Leader.
Identical plans and supporting documentation have been provided to all three councils and will be on display at the relevant council offices during office hours. The planning permit application details are as follows:
Banyule City Council 44 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna Ref No. P635/2007
Yarra City Council 333 Bridge Road, Richmond Ref No. PL07/0812
Boroondara City Council 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell Ref No. PP07/00882
Alternatively the plans and supporting documentation will be available to view during the public exhibition period here.
All clear for the Kew Billabong path to the Darebin bridge.
Nov 07 Dr Graeme Lorimer has given the all clear for the path to the Darebin Bridge past the environmental sensitive Kew Billabong.
Dr Lorimer’s report commissioned by the City of Boroondara, states that the Darebin Bridge and associated shared path will not negatively impact on the vegetation or animal life in Willsmere Park or the Kew Billabong.
The report supports the many years of assessments and design work carried out by numerous Councils and Government Departments. The conclusions of the report are not surprising given that the path alignment runs under the freeway, past a soccer ground and over a regularly mown grassy area to the river bank. It completely avoids the billabong.
On one hand the report will reassure those concerned about the impact of the trail. On the other hand those who have tried to use the unique qualities of the billabong to oppose the path have been shown up by this report.
Importantly this report will inform decisions by the Boroondara Council. The Mayor of Boroondara has in the past, quite rightly, said that Council cannot support the project if it has negative impacts on the environment. This report means that the Mayor and Councillors can now swing their support behind the project.
The report highlighted increased pedestrian use and dog traffic along the banks of the river as the biggest threat to the environment. The report also states that these can be managed if they eventuate.
Boroondara, Yarra and Banyule Councils are currently considering planning applications for the Darebin Bridge Project. Councils will be seeking public comment early in the New Year and should be voting on the project soon after. Yarra and Banyule Councils have supported the project for many years.
Click here to read the Progress Leader article about the report. You can also download a copy of the report here.
Consideration of Planning Permit applications grinding along slowly.
Nov 07 Riders could be excused for thinking that nothing has happened since the planning applications for the Darebin Bridge project were lodged over two months ago. While little has happened publicly Parks Victoria and the Councils are working busily behind the scenes.
Parks Victoria is currently working to answer the final questions that Councils have asked about the project and we expect that Banyule, Yarra and Boroondara Councils will be calling for public comment on the project by January. This will be your chance to support the project.
The past few months have seen support for the project grow from the community and all levels of Government. We will let you know when the consultation opens and you have the opportunity to show your support. For an email update make sure you click on 'email me updates' above.
Planning Applications have been lodged
31 Aug 07 Parks Victoria have lodged the planning applications for the Darebin Bridge with the Councils of Banyule, Yarra and Boroondara. So now after many years of studying the form guide, the ball has been bounced and the real game can begin!
Click on 'Email me Updates' (right) to keep up to date as we will be asking for your support in the very near future.
Construction starts on Banyule section
Aug 07 The City of Banyule, with funding assistance from Parks Victoria, is currently building a new section of the Darebin Creek Trail. This will extend the trail south of Darebin Parklands to the Heidelberg Road Bridge and is an essential part of the Darebin Bridge project. Unfortunately the new trail will not quite make it under Heidelberg Road and into Sparks Reserve. We are hopeful construction of the trail into Sparks Reserve will commence in 2008.
The photos below show the construction of a new creek crossing and associated trail construction.
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The image below shows the new section of trail in green and the new creek crossing in blue. Sparks Reserve is the park area to the south of Heidelberg Road that the trail should reach in early 2008.
Maps now available in Bike Shops
Jun 07 You can pick up a map from a number of bike stores around the bridge.
May 07. A planning application is yet to be submitted to the relevant councils for the Darebin Bridge and associated trail. Parks Victoria is working to resolve some last minute legal issues before this is done.
In the coming months we can expect Yarra, Darebin, Banyule and Boroondara councils to all be considering planning applications for the bridge. You can be a part of the process by registering your support for the project during public consultation. Click on email me updates above to be notified when you can have your say.
Mar 07. Boroondara Councillors have received a briefing from Parks Victoria about the Darebin bridge. A Council officer told us the meeting 'was to provide an opportunity to explain the issue to Councillors so that when the planning application is lodged by Parks Victoria, Councillors can make an informed decision.'
After recieving well over 200 emails no formal decision to support a planning application for the bridge was made, however council are now committed considering any planning application that is lodged.
March 07 - After a year of slow but steady progress the project has recently become very public again. Recent events include:
- The Mayor of Boroondara has publicly opposed the location of the bridge going against the 2006 masterplan developed and endorsed by council.
- Parks Victoria is ready to submit planning applications although the City of Boroondara appears to be stalling this process.
2007 will be a challenging and hopefully very productive year for the project. One thing is certain: Your support will be required at some stage so please click email me updates above to stay in touch, we will send you an email when the campaign heats up.
Boroondara Council needs to know you want the bridge.
Feb 07. The Mayor, Phillip Healey, has been speaking against the bridge in the local papers.
Please show your support for the bridge by emailing the Boroondara councilors.
Councillors need to know that you want the Darebin Creek Trail to link to the Main Yarra Trail and that you want them to accept and approve the planning application.
Click here to email the Mayor and Councilors. Please say if you live in Boroondara and remember to keep it positive, grumpy emails turn Councilors off.
To be notified of news and actions, see email me updates. Find out what you can do to help.
Council's masterplan for Willsmere Park endorses the bridge location as proposed by Parks Victoria. The Parks Victoria plan is based on more than 10 years of consultation and investigation.
The Mayor has been stating that council no longer supports the route and wants the bridge in another location. Previous investigations have shown all alternative routes to be unworkable.
With your support the other councilors will outvote the Mayor.
Cr Healey has been claiming that the bridge and trail will impact on important ecological areas in Willsmere Park.
However the report he cites clearly states that significant ecological values are restricted to the Kew Billabong and single large trees.
The trail will be constructed well outside the fenced boundary of the Kew Billabong and avoids all significant vegetation as shown in the diagram to the right with the trail route previously adopted by council shown in yellow.
August 06 - The state government has announced $2 million for the construction of the link between the Darebin Creek Trail and the Main Yarra Trail. This is great new for this long overdue project.
Nov 05. Bicycle Victoria met with Minister Mary Delahunty, the state member of parliament for Northcote, about connecting the Darebin creek trail to the Main Yarra Trail. The Minister is very supportive of the project and will work with Bicycle Victoria and community groups to lobby for state government funding of the project. There are currently no state government funds allocated for the construction of the trail south of Sparks Reserve to the Yarra River. This section has not been fully costed but is anticipated to be between two to four million dollars. Current funding from the state government is $1 million per year for the whole of the Metropolitan Trail Network (MTN). Obviously only a fraction of this can be allocated to the Darebin Creek Trail and even if the project were to receive one quarter of the current funds available it could not be finished within 10 years. We are calling for state government funding for the MTN to increase to $5 Million per year. Parks Victoria is currently preparing planning applications for the project. It is hoped that they will be submitted by the end of 2005 and approvals granted in early 2006.
Oct 05. After Bicycle Victoria members wrote over 500 letters earlier this year, Minister Thwaites has announced a new fund for the Metropolitan Trail Network (MTN). Funding for the MTN now meets the state government’s 2002 election promise; however more money will be needed to fund critical projects.
The new fund will provide $187,500 towards the construction of the missing section of Darebin Creek Trail between Grange Road and Darebin Road. The City of Darebin will also provide some matching funding for the project.
While the funding is a commendable step, current government funding will not be able to connect the Darebin Creek Trail through to the Main Yarra Trail in Kew. A commitment of significant additional funding will be required within the next year to ensure this important link is realised.
We believe that increasing the Metropolitan Trail Network annual funding to five million dollars could deliver this and other important projects on the trail network.
The development of the new fund provides all trail users with an opportunity to thank Minister Thwaites for developing the MTN fund and to stress the importance of additional funding to the Minister and local MP Mary Delahunty.
You can email Minister Thwaites at john.thwaites@minstaff.vic.gov.au and Minister Delahunty at Mary.delahunty@minstaff.vic.gov.au. Don't forget to send a copy (bcc) to campaigns@bv.com.au.
Dec 04. Darebin Council has constructed a section of path south from Darebin Parklands as far as the Hurstbridge railway line. It is planned to continue the path next financial year to Heidelberg Rd and Sparks Reserve.
When complete the project will link the Darebin Ck Trail to the Main Yarra Trail - a crucial gap in Melbourne's shared path network.
The project will extend the Darebin Creek Trail south from the Darebin Parklands to where the Anniversary-Outer CircleTrail passes under the Eastern Fwy (Melway Map 31C9 to 45F1).
Parks Victoria is negotiating with affected landholders along the proposed route and will eventually need to apply for planning permits to proceed. Progress has been slow but we are confident the project will eventually go ahead.
The section in Sparks Reserve has also become more urgent since an existing footbridge over the Darebin Creek was washed away in the December 2003 floods, increasing demand for the trail to be constructed through this section asap.
Completing the link is one of Bicycle Victoria's highest priority campaigns. It will give the residents of Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs access to hundreds of kilometres of popular bike paths throughout the metropolitan area.
Benefits
Linking the Darebin Trail to the Yarra Trail will allow cyclists to travel:
- downstream on the Yarra Trail to the City
- upstream on the Yarra Trail to Westerfolds Park in Templestowe
- along the Anniversary Trail through Kew and Camberwell to the Gardiners Creek Trail in Malvern.
- The path will allow access for students all the way to Latrobe University and eventually to RMIT's Bundoora campus.
Support the people who support your bike riding. Join Bicycle Victoria.
