- Published:
- Sunday 28 February 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has taken action to complete the long standing gap in Melbourne’s Principal Bicycle Network along the Darebin-Yarra Creek Trail.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan announced that after years of uncertainty the project can move forward with construction for the final and missing stage starting in late 2016.
The Government and VicRoads have been working with the City of Boroondara and Latrobe Golf Club to ensure the alignment of the trail and land acquisition achieves the best outcome for the community.
The final stage in the Darebin Creek Trail has been declared under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 which allows access to the land required to complete the trail.
The Latrobe Golf Course has approximately 9000 square metres that will be accessed for this project.
The completion of the kilometre long final section of the Darebin-Yarra Trail will see a 3 metre wide concrete cycling path extended through Latrobe Golf Club and Willsmere Park to connect with the Main Yarra Trail in Kew East near the Eastern Freeway.
Completing the link in the shared path network will provide cyclists with a safer off-road avenue to commute to the CBD and other centres, such as the Latrobe National Employment Cluster.
Once the project is completed the trail will connect 600 kilometres of cycling and pedestrian paths across Melbourne’s north and east.
The final stage of the project will be completed by late 2017.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“Building the missing link in the Darebin Creek Trail will safely connect northern suburbs residents to over 600 kilometres of cycling trails across Melbourne.”
“We’re getting on with delivering the projects that Victoria needs and by removing this long standing gap in the Principal Bicycle Network we’re ensuring that cyclists and pedestrians can access one of Melbourne’s most popular trails.”
Quotes attributable to Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards
“When the project is completed next year it will bring to a close a 22 year campaign by Bicycle Network and Melbourne bike riders to get this vital link in place.”
"It's going to be a tremendous asset to Melbourne, providing an opportunity for the community to take to their bikes for healthy exercise and visit this beautiful corner of the city.”
“Minister Donnellan is to be congratulated for getting the final stage underway and joins a long list of political leaders from both sides of politics who have fought ceaselessly over the years to complete the vision for this project.”