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We’re building the trail in four stages: Beasley’s Nursery to Alexander Road, Alexander Road to Pound Road, Pound Road to Taroona Avenue, and Taroona Avenue. Find out more about the trail sections in our flyer.
The Main Yarra Trail extension will connect the Main Yarra Trail, Mullum Mullum Trail and the Eastlink Trail together, providing a seamless connection from Warrandyte to Melbourne CBD. The trail will provide a safe and convenient route for pedestrians and cyclists to commute to school, shops and work, promoting physical activity and active lifestyles within our community. This crucial link to the Melbourne CBD will also be a drawcard for recreational cyclists and tourists.
The trail is listed in several of Manningham’s strategic plans, including the Manningham Bicycle Strategy and the Active for Life Recreation Strategy.
The plan for this trail has evolved over 20 years and is being built in four sections.
1. Beasley’s Nursery to Alexander Road
Completed in August 2023.
2. Alexander Road to Pound Road
Completed in 2020.
3. Pound Road to Taroona Avenue
The third stage of the trail will provide a connection for pedestrians and cyclists between Pound Road and Taroona Avenue. Considering the challenges and environmental limitations of the area, the design proposes a shared path adjacent to the road. We have explored alternate routes, but the chosen path on the south side of the main road was the best option due to the terrain and non-straightforward connection (diverting down smaller residential streets). This design will provide convenient access for users while preserving the surrounding environment. The path will be made of concrete with an asphalt surface.
In response to feedback about guardrails and fencing, we’ll discuss this further with the Department of Transport and Planning, as they are responsible for arterial roads such as Heidelburg-Warrandyte Road. A road safety assessment will be completed as part of the design process to ensure that all safety elements are considered in the design.
It will likely be built in late 2024, subject to necessary approvals by third-party agencies.
4. Taroona Avenue (entire road)
We’re upgrading the footpath along the entire road, providing a continual connection for the Main Yarra Trail.
Following community feedback in late 2023, we have reduced the path size from a proposed shared path to a footpath. We will also trial a section of stone kerb to help the path better blend with the environment.
The design has been submitted to the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) for approval. The Wurundjeri re-evaluated the project and wants to undertake some further investigations to ensure we are protecting any potential heritage.
Pending these investigations, we aim to construct this path in the first half of 2024.
If you have any questions about this project, ask us online or contact us at 9840 9333 or manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au.
Here's some more information about the project-specific discussions we had.
Why are we doing this?
This project responds to community requests for a safe and accessible path down the road, allowing pedestrians and people with prams or wheelchairs to actively travel around the area.
After considering your feedback, we will now deliver this upgrade in two stages. The first stage will be from Diane court to the Warrandyte State Park, likely beginning in March 2024. For the second stage, from Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road to Diane Court, we will share the final design with the community once it is complete, before proceeding with the project construction.
Why use solid materials (concrete/asphalt)?
You told us you’d like us to minimise hard surfaces. So, around 70 per cent of this footpath will be made of gravel and crushed rock. We will only construct the footpath using asphalt in sections at higher risk of erosion or washing onto the road. Also following your feedback, we’ll trial stone kerbs for sections along the roadside to better blend with the natural environment.
How will you protect trees and the environment in this area?
A designated footpath prevents people from treading on grasses, shrubs and trees to create a path.
Why are we doing this?
The project was initiated by community requests for a safe and accessible path that will allow pedestrians and cyclists to use the less busy road. This section will also complete the Main Yarra Trail.
Why solid materials (concrete/asphalt)?
As this area receives high foot traffic, a solid surface will provide a more durable, low-maintenance solution. However, in response to your feedback, we have reduced the path size from the proposed shared path, down to a footpath.
What kerb type will be used?
You asked us to use materials that better blend with the environment. So, this project will trial a section of stone kerb.
Why are we doing this?
This is connection of the Main Yarra Trail will provide a link for active commuters from Melbourne’s CBD to Warrandyte. A shared path will be safer allowing for recreational cyclists to ride without interacting with main road traffic.
Why along Heidelburg-Warrandyte Road?
We have explored various alternate routes, but the chosen path on the south side of the main road was the best option due to the terrain and non-straightforward connection (diverting down smaller residential streets).
What about guardrail/fencing?
In response to feedback about guardrails and fencing, we’ll discuss this further with the Department of Transport and Planning, as they are responsible for arterial roads such as Heidelburg-Warrandyte Road. A road safety assessment will be completed as part of the design process to ensure that all safety elements are considered in the design.
Why are we doing this?
The footpaths on Yarra Road and Dudley Road will complete the existing footpath network, connecting the shops and sporting facilities to and from Jumping Creek Road to Homestead Road.
Why solid materials (concrete/asphalt)?
As this area receives high foot traffic, a solid surface will provide a more durable, low-maintenance solution.
Why are we doing this?
The footpaths on Yarra Road and Dudley Road will complete the existing footpath network, connecting the shops and sporting facilities to and from Jumping Creek Road to Homestead Road.
Why solid materials (concrete/asphalt)?
As this area receives high foot traffic, a solid surface will provide a more durable, low-maintenance solution.
We’re pleased to inform you that the pathway for stage one, from Beasley’s Nursery to Alexander Road, is complete. We’re now only waiting on the installation of safety fencing along the path outside Beasley’s Nursery, which is scheduled for later this month.
In the meantime, we’ve been planting many native shrubs, trees, and grasses around the area.
We're working with the Wurundjeri community to complete a cultural heritage investigation for section four, Taroona Avenue. The Wurundjeri plan to complete some further inspections before hopefully providing their approval for the works. We hope to commence works on section four by the end of the current financial year.
Subscribe for project updates in your inbox, or find out more at yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/main-yarra-trail.
If you have any questions about this project, ask us here or contact Praful Deshpande at 9840 9333 or manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au.
The project is well underway, and we are nearing the completion of all concrete-related activities, as scheduled, to be complete the end of May, subject to good weather.
Limitations on traffic flow and appropriate signage with traffic management continue to be in place to assist with vehicle flow.
The planting of shrubs/trees and the spreading of the native seeds along the sides of the shared path will occur in the coming weeks to make the path blend into its surrounds.
To ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists Council will install a safety fence and retaining wall along sections of this path that run alongside busy traffic conditions. The fence is scheduled to be installed in July, subject to weather and site conditions.
We appreciated your patience in constructing this key link and look forward to its completion shortly.
Rear of Speers Court
Along Heidelberg – Warrandyte Road towards Beasleys Nursery
In front of Beasleys Nursery carpark
Construction on stage one of the Main Yarra Trail Extension commenced at the end of January.
The project started from Alexander Road and is moving towards Beasleys Nursery.
Thank you for the community’s patience and cooperation during the construction process.
The project is anticipated to be completed in May, subject to weather conditions.
Limitations on traffic flow with one-lane closure, appropriate detour signage, and traffic management are in place to assist with vehicle flow.
Near Alexander Road
Towards Beasleys Nursery - Shared Path
Rear of Margaret Court