By Dongyun Kwon
The Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) will start off the Stage 1B of the Yarra Valley Trail (YVT) project soon.
The motion for the Stage 1B.1 tender, regarding the construction of a new 1.2km long shared path trail north of MacIntyre Lane in Yering, was approved unanimously at the Tuesday 12 December council meeting.
Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister said it is not just constructing 1.2km of track.
“It is also to restore, stabilise and strengthen two heritage timber trestle bridges which is a substantial undertaking as well as a 2.1km barrier and a number of gates and fences to protect livestock and to protect the abutting farmland,” she said.
The YVT project is a part of the Ridges and Rivers project which aims to connect local townships and provide convenient, easy access to walking, cycling and mountain biking opportunities, delivering significant health and wellbeing benefits for Yarra Ranges communities.
YVT Stage 1 aims to construct a 12km shared trail following the Lilydale to Yarra Glen rail corridor and is being divided into two stages.
Stage 1A, 7.5km from Lilydale to Yering, was completed in December 2019 and opened to the public in 2020.
The planning permit for Stage 1B, from Yering to Yarra Glen, was issued in February 2023 following a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child said he would not hesitate to support all the projects under the Ridges and Rivers project.
“We’ve invested heavily in an investigation and our commitment over the years has been quite outstanding on behalf of the council but also the officers,” he said.
“To me, yes, it is a very significant milestone in that important YVT to get to Yarra Glen and then it’s on further.
“When we look at that project in its entirety, ultimately, connecting to the Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail will be just such an amazing outcome.”
It will also support the economic growth of the region by having a tourism destination that connects trail users to wineries, cultural attractions and tourism destinations as well as by creating jobs.
Cr McAllister said her family is enthusiastic about the use of the trail networks as well as many people in Yarra Valley.
“Continuing to invest to bring these wonderful trails to life and, certainly, through Covid, we grew to love them even more, they are such an important and worthwhile investment of the council,” she said.
The council awarded the tender from Cope Ag for a total lump sum price of over $1.5 million dollars exclusive of GST (over $1.7 million dollars inclusive of GST) for the YVT Stage 1B.1.
Cr McAllister said the YRC only has funded $2.5 million dollars out of $8.5 million for overall Stage 1 funding.
“The vast majority of work has been funded through the State and Federal Government from a number of different [funding] rounds,” she said.
The Federal Government has funded $2.5 million through the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities and the State Government has funded $2.5 million through the Growing Suburbs Fund and $1 million through the Eastern Metro Partnerships for YVT Stage 1.
YVT Stage 2A from Yarra Glen to Tarrawarra, Stage 2B from Tarrawarra to Healesville, Stage 3A from Healesville to Seville East and Stage 3B from Healesville to Woori Yallock will connect to the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.
The Australian Government has announced funding of $4.9 million for YVT Stage 2A.
The remaining stages are in planning and are not funded for construction yet.
