Yarra Ranges Council has appointed contractors to construct another stage of the Yarra Valley Trail – the 1.5km long section that stretches from the Melba Highway to the Yarra River near Yarra Glen.
Construction is due to start in mid 2025 with the trail anticipated to be opened in early 2026.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said they were at the stage where real progress could be seen.
“It is also exciting to see construction well underway on the two upgraded heritage trestle bridges between Yering to Melba Bend," he said.
“These steps demonstrate council’s commitment to delivering stage one of the Yarra Valley Trail, in its entirety, from Lilydale to Yarra Glen.
“This investment is projected to support significant benefits to the local community, including important health and wellbeing outcomes.
"The ability to commute along easy-grade trail to Lilydale will also enhance the lifestyle for our Yarra Valley residents.”
When the trail is completed to Yarra Glen, it is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors a year and generate approximately $8.3 million in annual regional spending.
The Yering to Yarra Glen section has experienced delays due to several years in planning permit approvals, a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing and prolonged wet weather.
According to the council, these delays have contributed to increased delivery costs and the current project budget is not sufficient to get all the way through to Yarra Glen.
Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said the trail still had hurdles to cross.
“I’m very happy for us to be at this point. It will still be a beautiful but in some ways tantalising, ride to go from Lilydale so close to Yarra Glen.
"But I remain optimistic that in this term of council we’ll be successful in getting the funding for the substantial bridge that’s needed to complete that piece of the trail,” she said.
To cross the Yarra River to Yarra Glen requires a significant bridge, and 800m of proposed boardwalks.
The shire is investigating ways to reduce the cost of this final 1.2km connection to Yarra Glen Railway Station and Bell Street.
The funding received for construction of the first stage of the trail between Lilydale and Yarra Glen was funded by three different programs of federal and state governments, and the council.
This critical, final section is one of the council’s main advocacy requests for funding in upcoming federal and state elections and future grant opportunities.
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