Our ask: $11 million to fund and deliver the Birrarung/Yarra River crossing as a key stage of the Yarra Valley Trail.
A bridge crossing the Birrarung/Yarra River and a boardwalk across the floodplain is the key Yarra Valley Trail infrastructure required to complete the 1.2km connection from Yering into Yarra Glen.
The bridge and boardwalk will link the Yarra Valley Trail into the Yarra Glen township and Yarra Glen Railway Station precinct and will facilitate the future connection of the Trail into Healesville.
The first 7.5km of the Yarra Valley Trail project from Lilydale was opened in 2020. Recently opened is a 1.2km section north of Macintyre Lane. The next 1.5km section to the Yarra River will be opened by mid-2026.
A key project of Ridges and Rivers, a major trail-based tourism and recreation network across Yarra Ranges, the Yarra Valley Trail will be an immersive experience connecting locals and visitors with the food, wine, culture and scenery of the iconic Yarra Valley. Local communities will enjoy the improved infrastructure and better accessibility for walking and cycling between townships. For visitors, the Trail will provide linkages to some of Melbourne’s best wineries and art and cultural experiences including renowned tourism destinations such as the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Healesville Sanctuary and TarraWarra Museum of Art.
Benefits
- There is strong support from the business community in Yarra Glen for the Trail completion to facilitate the link from the Yarra Valley Trail into the town to enable trail users to access the cafes, services and township attractions.
- In its entirety, the Yarra Valley Trail is projected to attract 520,000 users in the first year alone, with an economic influx of $67.1 million. By year ten that figure is projected to increase to $81.4 million.
- Once completed, the Yarra Valley Trail will provide a destination and picturesque extension for existing popular trails from inner Melbourne and Melbourne’s south including the Main Yarra Trail, Birrarung Valley Walk, Carrum to Warburton Trail and connecting the tourism destinations around Yarra Glen and Healesville into the regional trail network.
Key projects
The entire trail network is being built in stages, with the highest priorities for additional funding:
- Yarra River crossing, Yering to Yarra Glen (Stage 1B.3) - 1.2km trail including Yarra River bridge and boardwalk. Cost $11m. Construction could commence in late 2026.
- Yarra Glen Railway Station Visitor Node Trail and Rail carpark - toilets and other facilities. Cost $1.1m. Construction could commence in mid-2026.
- Healesville Sanctuary Trail connection (Stage 3.1) - 4.9km roadside trail connection railway station to sanctuary. Cost $1.3m. Construction could commence in mid-2026.
- TarraWarra to Healesville (Stage 2B) - 9.8km trail completing connection of Yarra Glen to Healesville. Cost $10.6m. Construction could commence in 2027.