A cluster of Melbourne’s outer eastern municipalities has pitched for 10 major trail upgrades in an election bid for better transport across the region.
The Eastern Transport Coalition — the cities of Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Monash and the Yarra Ranges Shire — lobbies for better train, bus, road, and active transport connections.
Naturally they focus mainly on train, bus and road improvements, but even those upgrades they are pushing for, such as the Westall Road Extension, Dandenong Bypass Extension and the Dandenong Station Rebuild, will contain major bike routes.
The dedicated bike projects they have identified include:
Yarra Valley Trail (Stage 2B & Stage 3)
$24 million in funding for the Yarra Valley Trail (Stage 2B & Stage 3). An off-road recreational and active transport link between Tarrawarra, Healesville and Woori Yallock, connecting the Yarra Valley Trail to the Lilydale-to-Warburton Rail Trail, and complete a valley-wide network of shared trails.
Djerring Trail extension from Yarraman Station
$8 million to extend the Djerring Trail from Yarraman Station to Dandenong CBD. The rail trail provides a safe and easy-to-ride cycling route along a major transport corridor and connects multiple activity centres. The current rail trail finishes at Yarraman Station, approximately 2km from Dandenong CBD.
Mountain Highway Shared Path
$5 million to construct 5.2km of shared paths or bicycle lanes on the northern side of Mountain Highway. This will provide a connection for commuter and recreational users between The Basin and the Eastlink Trail.
Djerring Trail Upgrade in Monash
$2.5 million to upgrade around 2.8km of Djerring Trail within the City of Monash to a 3m-wide shared path. This upgrade will deliver consistency with the existing high-quality sections of the path constructed as part of the Clayton LXRP project.
Ferny Creek Trail (Stages 1 & 2)
$2 million to connect Acacia Road to Glenfern Valley Bushland Reserve in Yarra Ranges.
Main Yarra Trail Upgrade
$1.85 million in funding for the Pound Road to Taroona Avenue segment of the Main Yarra Trail. Providing an extension to the Warrandyte township will improve this experience and provide an additional link around the Yarra River.
Heathmont to Belgrave Rail Trail
$1.6 million in funding to replace and widen the existing path in Upwey to the required standard for a shared path.
Liverpool Road Shared Path in The Basin
$1.2 million in funding for the Liverpool Road Shared Path in The Basin, which will create linkages to key recreational and cycling trails, such as Dandenong Creek Trail and iconic '1 in 20' rides. Additionally, it will enhance access to local schools and activity centres in The Basin and improve connectivity to the Maroondah and Yarra Ranges areas.
Heathmont to Belgrave Rail Trail (Upper Ferntree Gully)
$400,000 in funding for the Heathmont to Belgrave Rail Trail (Upper Ferntree Gully section). This missing link will feature a 2.5m-wide concrete shared path that will provide a safer and more accessible connection to several key destinations, including the Upper Ferntree Gully Train Station, the Dandenong Ranges National Park, the 1,000 Steps and various shops and services.
Connecting the Railway Trail at Ferntree Gully
$350,000 in funding to complete the Railway Trail Shared Path to provide a safe direct route through the Ferntree Gully Station carpark. The existing rail trail ends at the train station car park and cyclists have to make their way through the car park mixing with vehicles.
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