Cost of bike path plan through native parkland blows out

COSTS on a Fitzroy North bike path could top $1 million as council officers urge City of Yarra councillors to scrap the proposal.

An artist’s impression of the plan.

THE cost of a controversial bike path proposed through parkland in Fitzroy North has ballooned to at least $900,000, prompting calls for the project to abandoned altogether.

Officers at the Greens-dominated City of Yarra have urged councillors to scrap the proposal through Rushall Reserve, a green wedge between Merri Creek and the South Morang railway line.

PARENTS SUPPORT BIKE PATH

RESIDENTS OPPOSE PLAN

The proposed path for cyclists and pedestrians has been the subject of three years of community debate and has seen forecast costs escalate from $628,550 last September and could even surpass $1 million if approved.

The proposed path will ease congestion on the Capital City Trail.

Some residents are opposed to the intrusion on parkland.

A council report warns that ratepayers could face ever further, unknown costs because of complications with construction of the path.

The cost of the project was no longer justifiable for financial reasons, it said.

The latest blowout in estimated costs was because of expenses associated with signalling and cable works on the nearby railway line, with a warning the council could face a further bill of $446,000 for replacement of “unforeseen track circuitry’’.

Artist’s impression of the proposed bike path through Rushall Reserve.

The works could also cause train delays or even a line shutdown, and the $81,500 bill for each disruption would be sent to Yarra.

Residents were also concerned at the removal of many native trees, including an 18m high manna gum, plus the potential loss of an off-lead dog park.

Resident Clinton Kitt said the many financial unknowns meant councillors had to reject the proposal.

Artist’s impression of how the proposed bike path will run along the edge of the railway line.

He said the cost estimates do not even include the expense of a geotechnical investigation of building on a basalt embankment.

“They’ve completely underestimated the costs which had now blown out,’’ Mr Kitt said.

The project has had the support of Bicycle Victoria which was seeking to ease congestion on the Capital City Trail which runs on the other side of the rail line.

A campaign has been organised to protect Rushall Reserve.

Greens councillor Misha Coleman, who represents Nicholls ward which includes North Fitzroy, said the costs of the current design of the Rushall shared path have blown out due to advice from Metro Trains about the costs that would be incurred and passed on to Yarra.

“As a result, we’ll be voting on some alternative options at the Yarra Council Meeting on Tuesday night.

“We should look at the option which is to seek support from the State Government to remodel the underpass and the station to provide a better bike route, that’s also safer for pedestrians.

“Fixing the train station would provide a more preferable route and outcome for local residents.’’

Councillors will vote on the report on Tuesday night.

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@IanRoyall