‘Looking toward the new Alphington Link entry from Farm Road. Artist impression, subject to change.‘
Image credit: Transport Victoria

After a long history, some of it back to 1929, a final part of the Darebin – Yarra trail connection, the Alphington Link section, is finally under construction with a 120m trail connecting Farm Road entry to a raised crossing then a junction at Darebin Creek Trail. The links timeline to completion, rivals Gipps Street steps / ramp replacement in nearby Abbotsford for sheer length of time taken for a piece of infrastructure to be constructed.

Thanks to the wondrous Wayback Machine, see below for screengrab of the original Build Darebin Yarra Link website from 2005, listing ‘Community Coalition Supporting the Darebin Yarra link’ who have been involved, along with so many hard working locals and path users since way back:

Alphington Primary School Council, Boroondara Bicycle Users Group, Boroondara Bushwalkers, Darebin Bicycle Users Group, Darebin Creek Management Committee, Darebin Parklands Association, Friends of Darebin Creek, Yarra Bicycle Users Group, South Alphington & Fairfield Civic Association and Whitehorse Cyclists.

Read more:

History of the Trail: retrieved from Build Darebin Yarra Link

Plans go back to 1929

‘Plans for a trail along the Darebin Creek go as far back as 1929, when the Metropolitan Plan for Melbourne included green fingers along the urban waterways, including along Darebin Creek.

Plans in mid 1990’s

More recently, the off-road shared pedestrian and bicycle trail along Darebin Creek, and its general alignment was proposed in the Lower Darebin Creek Concept Plan, published in 1996.

Bicycle Victoria called for the completion of the link as far back as 1995 and in 1997 the City of Boroondara approved both the plan and the funding for the bridge over the Yarra. Unfortunately in 1998 LaTrobe Golf Club refused to sell land needed for the link. In 1999 the Boroondara planning permit lapsed and was extended, but in 2001 when it lapsed again a further extension was refused. Nevertheless, in 2002 Boroondara endorsed a Willsmere Park Management Plan which included the bridge, but LaTrobe Golf Club continued its opposition.

Then in mid 2000’s

In 2004 a concept design was completed by Parks Victoria and in 2006 Premier Bracks announced $2 million funding for the project. Then in 2009 the shared trail was extended to its current end point, at a tree on the boundary of Darebin just short of Heidelberg Rd.

VCAT decision

Having developed an overall design for the remainder of the link Parks Victoria embarked on a project to have the necessary planning permit applications submitted to the three relevant councils, Banyule, Yarra and Boroondara, simultaneously. Although the project was supported by all three councils, Parks Victoria arranged for all three applications go to VCAT so that all the objections, from individuals and organisations on both sides of the river, could be dealt with once and for all.

The VCAT hearing began in February 2009 but adjourned after only a day and a half. This was due to Parks Victoria entering into new negotiations with the LaTrobe Golf Club, which was now ready to accept a path through the golf course with some conditions. The hearing resumed in July of the same year, and after receiving and hearing many submissions both in favour of the link and against it VCAT ruled in its favour.

What’s happened in the past two years?

In the past two years a more detailed design has been completed for the Banyule section of the trail, and a path that will provide access to the trail from the Ivanhoe Boulevard through Sparks Reserve has been constructed. The more generous rainfall Melbourne has been receiving in recent months has meant that work cannot begin on the trail crossing under Heidelberg Rd until next summer in any case. Funding is available for this stage of the project so the trail should be extended to Sparks Reserve in the summer of 2012.

What about the final link across the Yarra? 

Our great concern is that no state government funding has yet been allocated for the final, relatively expensive stage through the LaTrobe Golf Club and the bridge across the Yarra. And without this we have no link! ‘