Main Yarra Trail “would not pass the pub test”

by SANDI MILLER
8th September 2025

IN ITS LATEST round of consultation on infrastructure projects around Warrandyte and Wonga Park, Manningham Council Officers brought out plans for several path and drainage project at a drop-in sessions at the Warrandyte Hall in Taroona Avenue and at the Wonga Park Hall.

Council says it has committed to hold these sessions every six months “to provide meaningful engagement opportunities for Warrandyte and Wonga Park residents to learn about and provide feedback on upcoming footpath, road and drainage projects.”

For Warrandyte, there were five projects out for community consultation, including several in the final stages of development, the footpath outside Warrandyte High School and the pedestrian refuge outside the Stonehouse Café.

Projects that are still in planning stages include the Main Yarra Trail Extension, Tindals Road Footpath, and drainage on Trezise Street.

The drop in model allows for one-on-one consultation with the Council’s project teams, however there is no opportunity for the community to debate the merits of the projects without a townhall style forum, particularly on contentious projects like the Main Yarra Trail Extension.

The Diary attended the Warrandyte drop-in session.

The projects out for consultation were illustrated with some very high-level concept plans, with little detail, asking for community comment without showing details such as tree canopy or cross sections.

Main Yarra Trail

Since the session, the Diary has had numerous letters unhappy with the proposal for the Main Yarra Trail extension which proposes a path along the south side of Heidelberg Road, from Pound Road to Taroona Avenue (see Page 5).

Many correspondents noting the lack of genuine options to compare and the fete accompli of the proposal, the dangerous proximity of the path to high-speed traffic and negotiating road crossings and bus stops, the unpleasant proximity to traffic on what is supposed to be a pleasant ride through the countryside, as well as the impact of the tree canopy.

Resident Maurice Burley said the Main Yarra Trail Extension was a “flawed project that would not pass the ‘pub test’.”

The Diary distilled these community concerns in the following questions to Council:

Why is the community only being given a single option to consider?
Is there a “no bike path” option?
Why is the option of following either Pound Road or Melbourne Hill Road not being considered when there are a large number of riders already using these side roads?
Many urban areas use suburban streets as a bike route with nothing more than a line of paint to follow — can this project be achieved without the intrusive infrastructure?
Why is the “desire line” of the north side of Heidelberg Road being completely discounted, despite there being a navigable trail there already?
If safety is the reasoning behind the construction of the path, why choose the most dangerous option, with proximity to high-speed cars, trucks and buses with multiple bus stops and road crossings to navigate?
The Main Yarra Trail is meant to be a picturesque ride along the river, how does slogging along a main road breathing in truck fumes make for a pleasant family outing? Are there other routes that can be considered to join Yarra Parklands to Pound Bend?
Will the community be consulted with detailed plans with cross sections, and canopy mapping, outlining exactly what is being proposed, rather than high level concept “line on a map” plans so they can see more than just the basic concept before it is set in stone?
Why was the concept presented by the Warrandyte Community Association submission not presented the community to consider as an alternative?

The Diary put these concerns to Council and received the following response from Tony McGann, Acting Director City Services.

“The Main Yarra Trail Extension is a strategic project to create a continuous cycling corridor between the Main Yarra Trail, Mullum Mullum Trail and Eastlink Trail — connecting Warrandyte all the way to Melbourne’s CBD.

Part of the Eastern Region Trails Strategy and the Manningham Bicycle Strategy, it is set to benefit the entire eastern transport corridor.

Stage 3 of the project proposes locating the trail on the southern side of the road.

Alternative routes, including along Melbourne Hill Road and Pound Road, were assessed but ruled out due to excessive cost, significant environmental impacts, steep terrain and narrow road widths.

Community consultation has informed the design process over several years, including a recent review of a possible trail on the northern side of the road.

This was completed in response to feedback from the community and Warrandyte Community Association, but was found to be unfeasible.

The detailed analysis is available on the Main Yarra Trail Extension Your Say Manningham page.

We will continue addressing issues raised during community consultation and engaging stakeholders as the design evolves.

As it progresses, we’ll be able to share more detailed plans, including cross sections and canopy mapping to provide greater clarity around the proposed design.

We’ll also work with the Department of Transport and Planning to carry out a comprehensive safety audit.

This will ensure all road safety risks can be identified and addressed adequately.

We remain committed to transparency and ongoing engagement with the local community, user groups and broader eastern region to ensure the final trail delivers meaningful value for all users.”

Visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/main-yarra-trail.

Tindals Road Path

Other projects were less controversial; however, there were still some questions raised over the necessity for the proposed pedestrian path along Tindals Road.

The footpath is proposed to run from Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road to Stintons Road as a 2.5-kilometre pedestrian-only path, taking in road crossings at the intersections of Harris Gully Road, Reynolds Road, and at the roundabout at Stintons Road/Tindals Road.

Mr McGann said the Tindals Road footpath project began in response to community requests.

“It was added to our Footpath Priority Program after scoring highly for its potential to connect nearby neighbourhoods with major bus routes, schools, trails and other key destinations.

“Community support was further demonstrated during the initial consultation session, where almost all attendees expressed their support for the project.”

Given the path’s proximity to the Main Yarra Trail, there were questions raised about whether it would be considered to be a shared path.

However, Mr McGann said:

“While the location isn’t part of a strategic cycling corridor and not suitable for dedicated cycling facilities, the project will deliver a safe and accessible pedestrian path that improves connections across the area”.

Safety concerns were raised over the crossing point at the top of Reynolds Road, sighting visibility issues on the corner with difficult visibility and vehicles approaching from multiple directions.

Mr McGann said safe crossings are critical.

“We will work closely with traffic engineers and safety experts to ensure any new crossings are safe, clearly visible and well signposted.

“This project is in the early planning phase, and we’ll continue to review sight line challenges along the proposed route and crossing points as the design develops.”

Trezise Street Drainage

There is a proposal to upgrade the drainage along Trezise Street, the proposed plans included curb and channel drainage, replacing the existing open drainage that is common in Warrandyte.

The Diary asked Council why they were considering curb and channel rather than something more in keeping with Warrandyte character, and why the Green Wedge Design Guide was not being followed in this instance by using the recommended treatments such as swale drains.

Mr McGann said the Trezise Street project is currently in the planning phase.

“We are actively seeking community input to help shape the final design.

“In line with the Green Wedge Design Guide, we aim to minimise visual and ecological impact by prioritising natural, low-impact solutions wherever possible,”

Mr McGann said.

If you didn’t make it to the drop in session, you can still have your say on these proposals.

Visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/capital-works-warrandyte-wonga-park

YOUR SAY

Listen to the letters on our podcast

More work required on proposed shared pedestrian and cyclist path

Dear Diary,

The City of Manningham is planning to build a shared bicycle/pedestrian path along the south side of Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road from Pound Road to Taroona Avenue as the final stage of the bicycle network designed to bring riders down to the Yarra in Warrandyte.

The construction is similar to the recent path east of Mullum Mullum Creek near Beasleys nursery.

This path has been the subject of significant criticism by bike path design experts, pedestrians and cyclists, as well motorists who are concerned about safety, distraction and the potential for a cyclist coming off the path onto the roadway, particularly for young children.

A shared cycle and pedestrian path is required to be 2.5 metres wide, which, after allowing for clearances each side will mean that a four-metre swathe will be cut down the south side of the road, significantly altering the visual entry to the township.

All of the options for a cycle path from Pound Road to the river present difficulties of one sort or the other, so the task is not an easy one.

No option is likely to be perfect.

Nevertheless, while the Council Officers have undertaken considerable work on the proposed route we have a number of concerns about the proposal as it stands and believe that it needs more design detail so that the community can get a complete picture of its full impact.

In addition to this, we need a more thorough exploration of alternative options.

Key considerations

For any shared path critical factors to be addressed include:

User safety, for riders and pedestrians
User experience
Visual impact
Impact on vegetation
Scope of works

The proposal at it stands is problematic considered against each of these factors.

Safety

Passing traffic will be closer to users than the Beasley’s section, on a roadway with a curved alignment, steep grade and 9,000 daily vehicle movements at 60–70kmh.

These issues are of particular concern for children’s safety.

The proposed path is on the wrong side of the road for a direct connection leading to the Yarra River Reserve at Taroona Avenue.

The rest of the trail is on the north side of the road.

This means that pedestrians and cyclists will need to cross the high-speed, high-volume Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road twice, firstly near Tindals Road, and then cross back again near the sports grounds.

It is not a good connection.

For motorists, there will clearly be a distraction with cyclists and pedestrians travelling in both directions so close to the roadway.

User experience

For all of the above reasons riders and walkers will not have an enjoyable experience.

Unlike the bushy Mullum Mullum and Yarra trails, it will be an unpleasant ride with traffic noise, proximity to speeding traffic and two road crossings.

Visual impact

This path will result in significant visual impact and will change the semi-rural roadway and character, which forms a gateway into Warrandyte by extending concrete urbanisation, removing the gravel shoulder, constructing kerb and channel, and severely changing the rural rock cut slope adjacent to the roadway.

There will also be significant excavation at the bottom of the path where it connects across to Melbourne Hill Road where the impact is not shown by the diagrams so far distributed.

It is also not clear whether retaining walls will be needed for some sections to contain the cutback thus increasing the path footprint and the visual impact.

If the path requires protective safety barriers this too will add to the negative visual impact and possibly require an enlarged footprint.

Impact on vegetation

There will be significant tree loss, yet to be properly assessed, along with the loss of other vegetation.

This will be particularly acute where the path needs to go behind the bus bays.

Likely erosion on top of the cut embankment will result in continuing tree and vegetation loss over time.

In addition to this, risk mitigation may require the removal of further trees adjacent to the track to avoid injury from falling branches.

There is a significant section of the path where additional major drainage works are expected to be required, but this, along with the extent of traffic disruption during construction has not been addressed.

The concept drawings do not provide sufficient detail for the community to properly assess the path’s impact against all the factors identified here.

Furthermore, it is not clear whether other solutions are possible.

For example, does the path need to be shared between riders and pedestrians?

Cyclist-only paths, possibly following existing roadways might provide a better rider connection to the Yarra.

What options not considered to date might be developed for an acceptable route on the north side of the road?

This might be the only possible solution, but a more thorough and creative examination of all possibilities is required before this proposal is adopted.

We encourage everyone to take a close look at this proposal.

The Manningham Council link below will take you to the project yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/main-yarra-trail

TERRY TOVEY
WARRANDYTE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

________________

Community feedback improves results

Dear Diary,

Council has resolved to build this bike path link along the south side of Heidelberg Road.

The track is ultimately constructable, but I am concerned at the inadequate information being tabled for residents to provide feedback.

My inspection of the route behind the three bus stops has identified how upwards of nine significant candle bark and yellow box tress will be cleared along the route.

These trees overhang this side of the road and are visually significant.

Their likely loss should be publicly flagged.

Council’s consultation process for the Beasley’s bike path followed a similar process with appalling results.

Many residents objected to the early Taroona Avenue concepts and better outcomes resulted.

I worked with WCA members in an attempt to achieve a sustainable design to maintain seasonal hydration for the Manna gums adjacent to the Everard Drive piped stormwater project, but although Council ultimately agreed with us they had crystallised their design by the time we were able to comment.

I hope resident will have their say, while there is still time to influence the design.

DOUG SEYMOUR
WARRANDYTE

____________________

Main Yarra Trail project needs a major reset

(OPEN LETTER TO COUNCIL)

Dear Diary,

I am not opposed to a path per se (others may be), but I consider that the current project concept is fundamentally flawed.

Strategically, the path needs to be on the north side as it is intended to provide a direct connection between the existing path at Pound Road and Taroona Avenue.

Without adequate consultation, a bad decision was made by Manningham some time ago to put the path on the south side of Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road beside the roadway.

Ever since, Manningham has been in an entrenched position and continued to defend this poor decision, despite the public seeing the problems and highlighting the issues at every opportunity — both for the location and the details of the proposal.

By putting the path on the south side, it will force the longer-distance users to cross the Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road twice, then travel close to the roadway with inherent risks.

Enjoyment of user experience will be minimal.

Most of the community concerns, e.g. about road safety, impact on vegetation, path users’ experience, visual impact of the roadway and community impact during construction, are related to the initial poor decision on path location.

Solutions to “fix” issues raised by the public are like putting a “band-aid” on a problem — without acknowledging the concept itself is seriously flawed.

Consultation at the end of 2024 clearly showed the public’s preference for the path to be on the north side.

This was acknowledged by Manningham in the notes it issued in February 2025, and where they also said they would “prepare a north side option to present for comparison at our next consultation session”.

Encouraged by Manningham’s response, the WCA prepared a detailed submission in February 2025 and then engaged with Manningham to explore other ideas and seek best outcomes for the community.

The submission and presentation included an Option 3 route on the north side of the roadway that would follow an existing walking track for much of the distance through the area between the road and the residential development, i.e. with greater separation from the roadway.

This option would have construction challenges and need a boardwalk for part of the route but overall would provide a much safer and enjoyable experience for families with children and other users.

There would be some loss of trees, but a good designer could manage the alignment, gradient and cross section to minimise impact on vegetation.

Compared with Manningham’s Option 1, this alignment is more consistent with Manningham’s Open Space and Bicycle strategies.

We know from experience and the enjoyment of people who use other shared paths in our area, e.g. the Mullum Mullum Path and the Main Yarra Trail (west of Beasleys), that these are relaxed and pleasant areas that people want to use — and which have been built successfully in areas with difficult terrain, trees and sensitive environments.

During the WCA meetings with Manningham, the engineers said that they would provide alternatives at the next community consultation session.

However, they have now made a decision for Option 1 on the south side close to the roadway.

In the latest consultation notice they included an Option 2 on the north side (all agree is undesirable), but they also decided not to show or mention the WCA ideas (Option 3), nor give people in the community an opportunity to provide input on alternatives.

This makes their consultation seem relatively useless, as well as not being open and sharing information with the community.

In the Manningham Community Engagement Policy, the approach relating to “deliberative engagement” indicates:

“Transparency is key to an effective process”.

Manningham officers have been ignoring the community input on route location and simply tinkering with detail to follow a process to implement the project that they want, rather than addressing the fundamental problems / reasons for opposition, and properly investigating best solutions and outcomes for a lasting legacy.

This is a flawed project that would not pass the “pub test’’.

The project needs a major re-set, and then rethinking, together with proper, deliberative and authentic engagement.

What is needed is a project that can be celebrated, and of which we, and Manningham, can be proud.”

MAURICE BURLEY
WARRANDYTE

____________________________

Proposed path unsafe and unpleasant

Dear Diary

This path should not be a foregone conclusion by Manningham council.

Many in Warrandyte are sick of the supposed ‘consultation’.

We have the WCA to represent the views of those in Warrandyte and it seems its well-considered views are not being taken into consideration by council.

This is an extremely poor design.

It is dangerous, ugly, not in keeping with Warrandyte’s landscape, expensive and unnecessary.

If this is supposed to be part of the Main Yarra Trail and to be linking the River Path to the path at Beasley’s it is the wrong location and is not a pleasant option for the Yarra Trail.

My main comment is that the whole Warrandyte section of the Yarra Trail needs to be re-examined.

The Trail follows the river from the city to Mullum Creek, where for some strange reason it diverges across the south boundary of Tikalara and into the back of Beasleys.

There the unsightly and dangerous new section proceeds uphill.

This section is an accident waiting to happen, with the steepness and proximity to 70kmh traffic with no separation and protection.

Why does the Yarra Trail not do what it’s named for and follow the river from the mouth of the Mullum Creek to Pound Bend?

This would be an extensive addition, but surely the cost of what is proposed along Warrandyte-Heidelberg Rd would be sufficient for a simple gravel section similar to that between Tikalara and Westerfolds along the river.

Then this trail could truly be called The Yarra Trail.

If this change of direction is not feasible, then at least the link along Warrandyte-Heidelberg Road should be on the north side of the road, where there is already a rustic path.

Having two crossings of this busy road is unreasonable from an aesthetic perspective and from a safety perspective.

At least two drivers have been killed over the last 20 years coming down the Heidelberg-Warrandyte Rd hill towards West End.

This is not a safe section of road for a bike path.

It’s heavily used by buses and other large vehicles.

DOREEN BURGE
WARRANDYTE