How Yarra Council spent $150,000 not to build a bike path

After five years, much community debate and hundreds of thousands of dollars, Yarra council won’t build a bicycle path through a Fitzroy North park after all.

A costly proposal to build a bike path through the middle of a park in Fitzroy North has been finally scrapped by Yarra councillors after five years of community debate.

A costly proposal to build a bike path through the middle of a park in Fitzroy North has been finally scrapped by Yarra councillors after five years of community debate.

The investigation which has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars was ended because proceeding with the path construction would have cost even more, possibly more than $1 million.

MUMS BACK PATH PLAN FOR RUSHALL RESERVE

RESIDENTS OPPOSE DRAFT PLAN FOR RESERVE

URGENT EGG RECALL ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Yarra councillors scrapped the proposal for Rushall Reserve because of the financial risks which included potential disruption to the South Morang railway line during works.

The plan, to link Rushall station to the end of Holden St to ease congestion at the station underpass, was first raised in Yarra’s budget in 2014-15.

The cost of the aborted project was $150,000 council said, but many observers believe the true cost of consultants and consultations was much more.

Artist’s impression of the proposed shared path in Rushall Reserve.

Resident Clinton Kitt said the decision was the outcome of five years of campaigning against councillors who had failed to listen to their community.

“The council never consulted with the local reserve users prior to placing the project in the draft budget and then was surprised by the opposition to the proposal.’’

Yarra mayor Danae Bosler said she had always opposed the project since joining the council in 2016.

Artist’s impression of the proposed shared path in Rushall Reserve.

The proposed work on VicTrack land included realignment of railway cables and other rail infrastructure changes, Cr Bosler said.

“Not to mention the cliff face, the narrowness of the path, the need to have distance from the train line, all of those factors made it unworkable.

“I’m pro bikes, I want bike paths but just the viability of the project made it just unfeasible.’’

Councillors rejected a recommendation last April by officers to abandon the project because the cost was expected to reach at least $900,000.

The council’s 2016-17 budget initially set aside $600,000 for the project.

Cycling groups backed a path as it would provide the missing link in the Merri Creek Bike Trail.

The proposal did have the support of parents who wanted the park more pram-friendly and to provide better access to Rushall railway station.

Cycling groups also backed a path as it would provide the missing link in the Merri Creek Bike Trail.

The council will proceed with the installation of drinking fountains, seating and landscaping in the park.

The park became an off-leash area for dogs in 2015.

@IanRoyall