Alphington Link

Investment: $9.1 million
Status: Preferred Route Announced - Design & Planning Underway

In April 2018 the spectacular Darebin Yarra Trail link was opened to the public thanks to an $18 million investment by the Andrews Labor government. The impressive new trail provides access to hundreds of kilometres of Melbourne’s beautiful shared trails and, vitally, it connects communities together.

However, Alphington residents seeking to access the Darebin-Yarra Trail, which runs right though their suburb, have not had any safe and practical way to access it. Residents must go either through Sparks Reserve in Ivanhoe or via Willsmere-Chandler Park in Kew East. For many this means travelling along the busy Heidelberg Road which is neither safe nor convenient, particularly for school children using this route.

In recognition of the value of building a new local link, in 2017 the Andrews Labor government committed to making it happen, and since being elected I have been working with the community and within government to deliver on that promise.

Through an extensive process of community engagement to inform technical development of plans, designs and option, it was ultimately found that the most direct route for the Alphington Link goes through a parcel of land privately owned by the Latrobe Golf Club.

To progress this option, I worked with the Minister for Roads to pass the Transport Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2021 in the Victorian Parliament. This Bill authorises the compulsory acquisition of the land needed for the Alphington link project, and the project can now get underway.

The final preferred route was announced on 17 November 2021 and will include entry from Farm Road and the construction of a 4-meter wide bridge. This will take cyclists and pedestrians safely over part of the golf course – connecting them to over 600 kilometres of bike paths across Melbourne, including the Main Yarra Trail, Anniversary Trail and Capital City Trail.

This will make for the safest, most accessible and most functional connection for pedestrians and cyclists and greatly enhance the cycling corridor in Melbourne’s inner north.

Community feedback will play an important role in the development of the Farm Rd Alphington Link.

Online information sessions were held by VicRoads in December 2021, and the community provided feedback on the proposed design until 31 January 2022.

You can find out more about this project and the proposed design at vicroads.vic.gov.au.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project so far - stay tuned for updates!