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Darebin Creek Link

The proposed bridge across the Yarra is a vital connection that will link the Darebin Trail to the Yarra Trail.

It would not only provide a vastly wider choice for recreational riders from and to our northern neighbours but open up far more opportunities for commuting as a rideable alternative to the unrideable Chandler Highway Bridge.

If you would like to support the bridge then let the council know.

email the council now -->

2030

Connecting the Yarra trail and the Darebin Trail is State Government policy under 2030. See Direction 5.7.5

Why the Darebin Bridge Location has no Alternatives

The following map outlines the options which have been considered and subsequently ruled out. Click on the map markers for more information about the shortcomings of the various alternate routes shown on the map: Map of the various suggested alternative routes.

Current Status

5 August 09, VCAT Decision

• VCAT hands down decision in favour of Darebin Creek - Main Yarra Trail link.
• Completion of the bridge and associated paths are now (Aug 2009) estimated to be completed in two years or so.

Boroondara Council vote in favour

On 17 June 2008 Boroondara Council voted 5 to 4 in favour of granting a permit for a bridge and a path to Parks Victoria. All three Councils: Boroondara, Banyule and Yarra are now in agreement. Parks Victoria is talking the matter to VCAT to resolve any outstanding objections.

Nov 20 Willsmere Chandler Park report now in

Dr Graeme Lorimer has presented to the City of Boroondara his report on the likely environmental impact of the proposed bridge linking the Darebin Creek Trail to the Yarra Trail at the Parks Victoria preferred location in Willsmere-Chandler Park. The report finds that construction of the bridge and associated path poses few risks to the environment, and that there are acceptable solutions to those that it does pose. Unsurprisingly he identifies dogs off-leads as a more serious threat to the environmental values of the park, and more specifically to the Billabong. See the full text of Dr Lorimer's report at:

Willsmere Chandler Park assessment

Progress Leader article on the report

Sep 07 Planning Permit Applications are now in

Parks Victoria have lodged the applications with Boroondara, Yarra, and Banyule Councils. We are looking forward to council reviewing this issue. Hopefully Council willsoon have the updated environmental Lorimer report so councillors have all the facts before them to make a clear decision.

The campaign has attracted local press from both sides of the river

July 07 Darebin Link makes the news. The Age ran two excellent stories on:

• rising commuter numbers, and also
• about the darebin Bridge

Apparently Latrobe Golf Course are " very supportive of the concept...". Also of note is that the environmental consultant, Dr Lorimer, is about to hand council a specific report on any potential impact of the proposed trail. Given that Parks Victoria and Dept of Sustainability & Environment have already given written assessments that there will be no environmental impact we look forward to the arrival of Dr Lorimer's report as it has been the ambiguity of previous summary reports that path opponents have been able to clutch their hopes on. This report should enable council to have the clarity they need to make a decision, once the applications are lodged by Parks Victoria.

Jan 07 Boroondara Councillors are keen to build Darebin Link along preferred alignment

During the '05 council elections BBUG asked the candidates what their position was on two key issues identified as being important to Boroondara cyclists. The two issues were:

1. Completion of the Principal Bicycle Network of on road bike lanes in Boroondara (see the existing and proposed)
2. Linking of the Darebin Creek Trail and the Yarra Trail via Willsmere Chandler Park (Bicycle Victoria's detailed outline )"

Cl Philip Healey (Mayor at that time), in particular is keen to build the Darebin Link - see his election promise below:

Phillip Healey – Studley Ward "While I will support both items 1 & 2 I think that item 2 is too many years overdue and needs to be expedited ... Best regards, Phillip Healey"

The other councillors responses are below:

Bellevue - Cr Luke Tobin
Re: Linking of the Darebin Creek Trail and the Yarra Trail via Willsmere Chandler Park East alongside Kew Billabong. "...It would seem logical that the linkage to which you refer should be implemented."

Cotham - Cr Phil Meggs
????

Gardiner - Cr Coral Ross
We did not receive a reply from Coral Ross, however she has always been very supportive of cycling issues in Boroondara.

Glenferrie - Cr Meredith Butler
"...I am very supportive of more networks across Melbourne and in Boroondara, specifically the two networks mentioned..."

Junction - Cr Jack Wegman
" With respect to Point 1 - I recently voted at Council for the adoption of the PBN. In general, I would support any measure to make bicycle riding safer, while maintaining the amenity for pedestrians. Regards Jack"

Lynden - Cr Heinz Kreutz
"...I think my record speaks for itself: I am a member of BBUG, our local bicycle users group and support the PBN. I have lobbied hard and managed to put successful motions at Council meetings to have the PBN implemented, despite some fairly vocal local opposition. Two weeks ago I met with our state MP Bob Stensholt, Council officer, Bicycle Victoria and local activists to discuss how we could further improve interconnectivity..."

Maling - Cr Dick Menting
Having spent most of my youth in Holland (and of that time probably most of my time on a bike), I have always believed that in areas such as Boroondara, more use ought to be made of bicycles. If elected as councillor, I will certainly assist to expand the network of bicycle paths in Boroondara.

Maranoa - Cr Nicholas Tragas
" I fully support the linking of the Darebin Creek Trail and the Main Yarra Trail via Willsmere Chandler Park. "

Solway - Cr Mary Halikias-Byrnes "...The main issue is not to compromise the safety of the road users (which includes pedestrians, car drivers, motorcyclist and cyclists). With this in mind I would be supportive of linking up of bicycle networks..."

Media

Statewide - The Age article July 07. read more >>> In which both the Latrobe Golf Course and Alphington Grammar both state their support for the project and only want better fencing.

From North of the river	From South of the river
Northcote Leader article	Progress Leader article

Below is the proposed (by Parks Victoria ) alignment and also the often-touted (yet proven to be unviable) alternative alignment proposed by many opponents of the darebin bridge. The oft-quoted Alphington Park alignment alternative downstream has also been ruled out by numerous stakeholders on previous occasions, including Boroondara Council back in 1997-2001 when they originally supported the proposal and gave Parks Victoria's application approval.

Map of the various suggested alternative routes

Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, VicRoads, City of Banyule, City of Darebin and City of Yarra, Boroondara Bushwalkers The Community Coalition for Shared Trail Path and of course Boroondara BUG ALL support the proposed alignment.

Here is Boroondara City Council's adopted Management Plan for the park which shows the preferred alignment for the trail and the fence that should have been built years ago to enclose the environmentally sensitive area of the Billabong.

Boroondara BUG supports the alignment proposed by the above agencies and supports the view that the alignment will not impact on the environmental sensitivity of the area as noted in the Lorimer Report which states that the only sensitive area is the Billabong, not the northern peninsula area. If the proposed fence (which the Lorimer Report and Boroondara's park masterplan both recommend) were built the greatest stated threat to wildlife (dogs) would not enjoy the current access they do. The proposed alignment goes AROUND the significant region, not through it.

Following is a letter received from Councillor Healey. There are many elements to this debate that need clarification as there appears to be inconsistent messages and documents being quoted incorrectly by stakeholders. Thus far we have only heard from the mayor who states he speaks on behalf of all the councillors' position.

Boroondara BUG Comment

At the next Boroondara BUG meeting following receipt of the below letter it was noted that there were discrepancies in the letter which need to be addressed but first clarification was sought as per the email below. No reply has yet been received by the B’draBUG from Cr Healy.

There also is a need to objectively review some aspects of Cr Healy’s letter such as the environmental impact. Dr Lorimer’s report focuses on the high quality of vegetation within the billabong and notes the threats presented by humans and dogs. “Because the billabong is so popular for dog walking, the rare waterbirds are unlikely to breed there …..” (p127, ‘Inventory and Assessment of Indigenous Flora and Fauna in Boroondara’). The bridge will have an environmental impact wherever it is built but the impact is likely to be short term; however the proposed path alignment could be expected to have minimal impact given that it is well clear of the billabong, snaking between trees and on mown grass weeds. (Refer Willsmere - Chandler Park Management Plan on BCC web site).

Response from Boroondara BUG to Cr Healey's letter (below)

Mayor - City Of Boroondara

Dear Councillor Healey,

Your letter on the Darebin Creek / Yarra Trail connection was discussed at a Boroondara BUG (BBUG) meeting on Wednesday night and it became clear that there is a definite need for clarification of some aspects relating to Council’s position on the proposed connection. At the meeting we had the pleasure of the company of Councillors Dick Menting and Meredith Butler who sought to become further informed as to the BBUG’s activities. The BBUG has over the years had several councillors attend our meetings and your presence at a future meeting would be welcome also.

The BBUG meeting passed a motion that the route as documented in the Willsmere-Chandler Park Management Plan, 2001, is fully supported. The Management Plan is as on the council’s web site and understood to be the official version as adopted by Council in July 2002 to which you refer in your letter.

You indicate that until a planning application is received from Parks Victoria “Council is unable to determine the matter”. However you go on to say that “In Council’s view these benefits can be achieved by altering the location of the proposed bridge and path…”.

Before we can properly consider the arguments presented in the letter, the BBUG first needs to be informed as to Council’s documented position on the matter and when Council’s view changed from that recorded in the adopted Willsmere-Chandler Park Management Plan.

Could you please advise as to the Council’s current position, if different from the Management Plan, and when any change of position was made and where it might be documented. Similarly could you please advise as to the documentation of the view that an alternative route be investigated and when Council deliberated on that matter.

Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours sincerely,
Graeme Stone
On behalf of Boroondara Bicycle Users Group.

Letter From Cr Healey To Boroondara BUG

Dear Boroondara Bug Committee and Members,

Re: Boroondara Shared Path

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to some misinformation about Council’s position regarding the proposal to connect the Darebin Creek Trail with the Main Yarra Trail in Boroondara.

1) Boroondara Council is not causing any delay to the project.

Boroondara Council does not have a planning application from Parks Victoria for construction of the bridge required to connect the two paths. When an application is lodged, Council will make a decision on a timely basis in accordance with statutory requirements. Until then, Council is unable to determine the matter.

2) Council supports a connection between the two paths and seeks an alternate location.

Council sees considerable benefit for pedestrians and cyclists alike in being able to experience an extended network. In Council’s view these benefits can be achieved by altering the location of the proposed bridge and path to minimise its impact on the significant environmental values of Willsmere Park with its natural billabong. The construction required for the bridge abutments and the path itself will erode the environmental qualities Council is seeking to preserve and reinvigourate. A recent report by well known ecologist, Dr. Lorimer, has highlighted the significance of this area. Parks Victoria has been requested to consider alternative locations for the bridge.

In July 2002, Council adopted the Willsmere-Chandler Park Management Plan which seeks to halt environmental degradation of the area. Council has been allocating resources to the implementation of this plan on an annual basis.

By way of background, it should be noted that a planning permit was issued for construction of the bridge in 1997. Parks Victoria received an extension of time for this permit in 1999 with an expiry date of 23 September 2001. The request for an extension of time for this permit was refused and Parks Victoria allowed the permit to lapse. A new planning application must now be lodged.

Council is hopeful that this matter can be expedited and that a bridge location will be identified which meets Council’s objectives regarding environmental impact and the needs of all path users. I suggest that this letter be posted on your website to ensure that your membership has a clear understanding of the facts. I have sent a similar letter to other interested user groups.

Best regards Clr Phillip Healey