Fitzroy North residents oppose Yarra Council’s draft plan for $600k pathway through Rushall Reserve

CYCLISTS want to see a $600,000 shared pathway built through a popular inner city park used by off-leash dogs and young families.

Would this stop cyclist congestion?

A $600,000 shared pathway for cyclists and pedestrians would be built through a popular reserve used by young families, under a Yarra Council plan.

The draft pathway would be built from Rushall Station to the end of Holden St, Fitzroy North through Rushall Reserve in a bid to alleviate congestion at the station underpass.

However, Clinton Kitt, who regularly uses the park with his two sons, said perceived congestion at the station was a “furphy”.

“It is not a busy, busy thoroughfare that for hours on end has people going both ways and if it was, the council would be looking at fixing the underpass,” Mr Kitt said.

Friends of Rushall Reserve are unhappy about the pathway.

Families with children frequent the park, which is also an off-lead dog park.

Two community workshops held by the council 12 months ago suggested the majority of residents were against the proposal.

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However, the council also received a petition last year with more than 300 signatures supporting the “missing link” project.

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Mr Kitt, part of the Friends of Rushall Reserve group, said the park was an extension of people’s backyards and was a meeting place for the community.

An artist impression of the pathway.

The project aims to enhance the accessibility of the reserve for pedestrians and improve the council’s off-road bicycle network.

Bicycle Network’s senior policy adviser Garry Brennan said the council’s design would work for the entire community.

“It is a straightforward and simple connection that will greatly improve the bike network in the area,” Mr Brennan said.

An artist impression of the pathway.

The council would remove 12 trees as part of the project, while a fence would be built along the perimeter of the path to separate park users from cyclists and pedestrians.

The council has allocated the funds as part of its 2016/17 proposed budget.

A community information session will be held on the shared pathway on May 7 in the reserve from 10am-12pm.

*Click here for more details on the project.