Bicycle Network: Metro Routes

Car-free hardware trips

1 May 2013. Most of us assume a trip to the hardware store involves the hassle of a car, but bikes have become preferred customers at the new Masters Home Improvement store in East Hawthorn—yes, the one right alongside the Gardiners Creek Trail.

Bikes have been lining up outside the new store as riders cruising Melbourne's trail network are seizing the opportunity to grab a new kitchen sink.

And they are not dinking it home on the handlebars—Master's offers a delivery service, free for some items. And there is a ute for hire.

Store management see the busy nearby trail as a good source of customers and want to make it easy for bikes to access the store.

Bicycle Network members Glenyss Jones snapped this photo of the welcome sign put up in the early days the store was open.

A bike pump is located in the foyer and cyclists are welcome to use the toilets.

And as with any major hardware store, there are sure to be the smells of weekend sausage sizzles wafting temptingly across the Gardiners Creek Trail.

There is ample bike parking, though not maybe in the best place.

The store has also installed bike parking and showers for employees who want to ride to work.

Bridge funding announced

21 March 2013. The City of Stonnington has committed $245,000 towards the new bridge over the Gardiners Creek in Kooyong.

The bridge, which will go under the freeway and eliminate the on-footpath section on Glenferrie Road, is going to tender this month.

A joint project between VicRoads and the neighbouring cities of Stonnington and Boroondara, the $2.3 million project will link up bike paths along Gardiners Creek trail at Glenferrie Road, Kooyong, benefitting both commuters and recreational riders.

City of Stonnington Mayor Cr Matthew Koce said the bridge will be welcomed by cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

“Gardiners Creek bike trail is an incredibly busy route, with more than 400 cyclists powering along the bike path every hour at peak times in the morning and evening,” Cr Koce said.

“Riders currently have to leave the bike path and ride along a footpath to wait at pedestrian lights. The new bridge will remove this obstruction and thereby the risks inherent in commuter cyclists competing for space with pedestrians and motorists.

“The new bridge is terrific news, especially for the 2,400 cyclists who ride the track each day. It means they will be a lot safer, and the trip will be a lot quicker.”

“We’re hoping construction can start as early as May, with the bridge opened for use by Christmas,” Cr Koce said.

“It is an extremely valuable link in Melbourne’s bicycle path network, and will encourage even more people to abandon their cars and cycle to work.”

Gasworks diversion on Gardiners Creek

15 November 2012. Riders will need to taker considerable care on the popular Gardiners Creek trail now that the detour around the development on the former Gasworks site between Toorak and Torronga Road has been opened.

The detour is all off-road, so no concern about traffic. But there are some sharp turns.

The detour should be in place for about 8 wks, while they construct a new 3m wide path along the creek embankment.

A ramp is being constructed to go up and over the existing retaining wall to access the construction site, with the detour a service road just north of the existing path, while the new path is built.

The site will be occupied by Masters Home Improvements, a new Woolworths venture.

Gardiners Creek Trail Reconstruction - Toorak Road to Tooronga Road

September 19th 2012

Boroondaara City Council advise that between Toorak Road to Tooronga Road they will be upgrading the Gardiners Creek Trail between October and December 2012. The project will improve the level of safety and accessibility of the shared path. Key features include:
• New wider asphalt path with concrete edging;
• Safety fencing; and
• Line marking and signage.

To assist the upgrade works and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, a detour will be provided to the north of the existing path.

Should you require further information, please contact the Hacer Group on 9810 6888 or the City of Boroondara Engineering and Traffic Team on 9278 4546.

Glenferrie Rd CityLink works and part closures of Gardiners Creek Trail

September 19th 2012

CityLink has advised that over the next two weeks they need to carry out some important maintenance works involving more inspections of the bearings underneath the elevated section of CityLink under the Gardiner’s Creek Freeway Viaduct near Glenferrie Road.

CityLink have specifically chosen to work off peak, to avoid disrupting weekday commuters, and the work is only expected to take a few hours. CityLink have advised that their schedule is:

Tuesday 25th September: Gardiner’s Creek Viaduct

9.30-11am: People using Gardiner’s Creek Trail, in either direction, will be diverted to Glenferrie Road and required to use the pedestrian crossing before rejoining the trail on either side.

11am-12pm: People wanting to access Glenferrie Road from the Gardiner’s Creek Trail, or vice versa, will only be able to do so from the eastern side of Glenferrie Road.  Advisory signs will be in place.

Wednesday 26th September: Gardiner’s Creek Viaduct
9.30am-12pm: Cyclists/pedestrians may be stopped for very short periods of time while a boom is moving above the path. This will be via the use of stop/slow boards. The operators will do their best to avoid boom movements when pedestrians and cyclists are approaching.

Thursday 27th September : Gardiner’s Creek Viaduct (contingency)
9.30am-12pm: Cyclists/pedestrians may be stopped for very short periods of time while a boom is moving above the path. This will be via the use of stop/slow boards. The operators will do their best to avoid boom movements when pedestrians and cyclists are approaching.

CityLink apologises for any disruption caused, and thanks people for their patience while these important works are carried out.
 

Election opportunity for candidates to show support

15 August 2012 Bicycle Network Victoria has identified this project as a local council priority for the 2012 Local Government election. Candidates should be ready to support the development and full or partial funding of this project in conjunction with State Government and can tell riders in their Council area their position by posting their candidates' statement at VoteBike.

The priorities within Stonnington are:

High Street to Brixton Rise
Warrigul Rd to Solway Bridge
overall quality; continue upgrades along entire length by resurfacing, widening where necessary to minimum 3.0m wide

Minor diversion coming soon. Low impact to riders expected

14 September 2012  Just in from Council.

Gardiners Creek Trail Reconstruction - Toorak Road to Tooronga Road

The Gardiners Creek Trail will be upgraded between October and December 2012. The project will improve the level of safety and accessibility of the shared path. Key features include:

• New wider asphalt path with concrete edging;
• Safety fencing; and
• Line marking and signage.

To assist the upgrade works and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, a detour will be provided to the north of the existing path.

Reconstruction of the trail is being undertaken by the Hacer Group.

Should you require further information, please contact the Hacer Group on 9810 6888 or the City of Boroondara Engineering and Traffic Team on 9278 4546.
 

Some delays ahead

We have just been given a heads up from Transurban about some short interruptions along the path west of Glenferrie Road, along the suspended section.

"Wednesday 8th August (Weather permitting)

9.30-11am: People using Gardiner’s Creek Trail, in either direction, will be diverted to Glenferrie Road and required to use the pedestrian crossing before rejoining the trail on either side.

11am-12pm: People wanting to access Glenferrie Road from the Gardiner’s Creek Trail, or vice versa, will only be able to do so from the eastern side of Glenferrie Road. Advisory signs will be in place.

CityLink apologises for any disruption caused, and thanks people for their patience while these important works are carried out.
Thanks,
Kate Murphy
Media & Community Relations Advisor
CityLink Melbourne Limited"
 

Solway Bridge Works underway

2011 October 2. SEE 'East: Anniversary Outer Circle Trail' re Solway Bridge start of works.

Simply smashing turnout at Warrigal Road underpass opening (August news)

9 August 2011. The official opening of the new Warrigal Road underpass drew a who's who of local dignitaries.

Federal MPs Anna Burke and Kelly O'Dwyer, State MPs Graham Watt and Michael O'Brien, and ex-Burwood MP Bob Stensholt, and the Mayors of Monash, Cr. Greg Male, Stonnington, Cr. Melina Sehr, and Boroondara Cr. Nicholas Tragas, as well as numerous councillors from the three municipalities were all glowing in their praise of the new underpass and the value it would bring to the surrounding community.

The underpass will provide easier access to Deakin University, Homesglen TAFE, Chadstone, Zone 1 railway stations, and into the city and the rest of the MTN trail network, which will not only deliver health and recreation benefits, but also help relieve congestion along the nearby railway lines and the Monash Freeway.

The underpass was made possible thanks primarily to federal government funding, but with all three levels of government working cohesively together for shared benefit, we now have this practical example of what is possible. 

Bicycle Network Victoria wishes to extend thanks to all participants for their warm words of support and encouragement for more and better bicycle infrastructure. Please show your appreciation to these MPs and Councilors. Say thank you. (E-mail contacts for Federal and State MPs, as well as the three municipal Mayors provided. Please remember the local Councillors and past MPs when writing).

Extending this great bipartisan support shown to the underpass and from across all levels of government will get the rest of the bicycle network across Melbourne, Victoria and Australia built in no time.

Glenferrie Rd bypassed

7 September 2011. VicRoads has announced that they will fund the building of a bridge beneath the Monash Freeway and over Gardiners Creek in Kooyong to fix the bottleneck on the Gardiners Creek bike path. 

This announcement will be welcome relief to riders who have had to endure the ongoing pain due to the M1 widening project works around the Burnley Wharf path closure. This bridge was one of the legacy projects that we proposed in 2008 to the M1 widening project team which could be done to offset the community pain that their construction caused.

The bridge will eliminate the risky footpath connection at Glenferrie Road by separating bikes from pedestrians, and will streamline this busy commuter and recreational bike route and also help the high pedestrian flows between the railway and Hawthorn College.

The proposal was developed by Boroondara City Council, whom yet again have reaped the benefit of developing solid design solutions and business cases for funding bids.

You can say thank you to the Minister; click here.

Bicycle Network Victoria submitted this proposal to Boroondara Council and the Monash Widening team in January 2008

Warrigal Road Underpass and Bridge Open! - (not officially)

Mon 18th July 2011. The missing link in the Gardiners Creek Path at Warrigal Road is complete. The Warrigal Road underpass, associated bridge over Gardiners Creek and new path to the east is opened for path users over the weekend. Path users can now ride from Deakin University to the CBD on a continuous off road path.

The invitation to the official opening at 2:20pm on Tuesday 9th August states: "The Cities of Boroondara, Monash and Stonnington are pleased to announce that the gap in the Gardiners Creek Trail has been closed with the completion of the Warrigal Road underpass, the bridge over Gardiners Creek and the shared path through Markham Victory Reserve.
"This partnership project received a huge boost when it obtained Federal Government funding from the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and funding from Parks Victoria under their Metropolitan Trail Network Grants Program"

The official opening will be held at the marquee in Markham Victory Reserve Corner Victory Boulevard and Warrigal Road, Ashburton (Melways Map 60 G12). Path users are invited to come along to celebrate and congratulate the parties involved for their work and persistence. The invitation to the opening is here.

7 March 2011. Contractors have moved to the next stage of Warrigal Road underpass project—getting the trail over to the other side of the Creek. Photograph shows the span of the new bridge span being lowered into place and the formwork and concreting work for the underpass.

No Way Solway

9 February 2011.   SEE 'East: Anniversary Outer Circle Trail' re Solway Bridge collapse.

Hawthorn upgrade complete

7 December 2010. The busy section of the Gardiners Creek Trail between Toorak Road and the Hawthorn Velodrome has been transformed with the completion of a major rebuild by the City of Boroondara and Vic Roads.

Bike commuters along this trail can now enjoy a three metre wide, concrete-edged asphalt path, with a safety fence setback 450mm on the creek side.

The project was budgeted at $440,000.

The path has been closed in sections during construction but good quality detours were put in place by Boroondara Council including a special section of Enduroplank boardwalk where the detour had to be close to a steep embankment.

Boroondara City is to be congratulated on a quality finished product and the effort put in to having the most workable detours for the site.

Two notable legacies from the project are four bike parking rails and connecting concrete path to serve cyclists attending the monthly farmers market, as well as a 3m wide shared concrete off-road path beside Auburn Road.

The next challenge is for VicRoads to be encouraged to provide a safe silt and flood free underpass under Toorak Road.

$3M crossing fix at Glenferrie

18 November 2010. The ALP has promised $3M to fund a bridge beneath the Monash Freeway and over Gardiners Creek in Kooyong to fix the bottleneck on the Gardiners Creek bike path.

The move will eliminate the risky footpath connection at Glenferrie Road by separating bikes from pedestrians, and will streamline this busy commuter and recreational route.

The proposal has been developed by Boroondara City, which this year commissioned a feasibility study to produce a concept design and cost estimate.

As well as the bridge to the east of Glenferrie Road, Labor has committed to upgrading the shared path on the north creek bank and to an improved path and linkages on the south side.

The project will require cooperation from both Stonnington and Boondara councils, Melbourne Water and VicRoads.

Underpass to overwhelm

11 November 2010. Significant progress has been made with the construction of the underpass for the Gardiners Creek Trail at Warrigal Road, where an innovative design ensures that creek flows are not impeded.

The deck for the shared path will be a "c" construction, and will appear to cantilever off the side of the bridge wall.

This was to satisfy Melbourne Waters stringent criteria that the underpass could not be allowed to impede water flow.

The photo shows the laying of the foundation, not the path. The path deck will be placed on at a higher level and will not be as steep as it might appear, with the steepest grade being 1 in 14.

Stuckland pipes up . . . finally.

28 September 2010. After more than a year of repeated entreaties to stop silt from its adjoining construction site fouling the Gardiners Creek path, the developer of the large retail, commercial and residential development at Tooronga has taken action.

A number of riders slipped and came to grief as fine clay slurry created a dangerous surface on the Trail's bitumen surface after rain.

Puzzingly the company did have erosion control measures in place early in the project, but at that time the path was closed to riders. When the path re-opened, the measures to stop run-off had vanished.

Boroondara Bicycle User Group took a key role in seeking a solution and made numerous approaches to the Department of Planning, the Environment Protection Authority, the Minister for Planning and to Stockland direct.

Because the Planning Minister, Justin Maddern, had taken control of the project, Boroondara Council were powerless to act.

The photograph shows that the piping of runoff water (white pipe in background) and the topsoiling and grassing (foreground to left of path) of exposed clay surfaces has almost eliminated the silting problem.

It pays to be persistent.

Sun lights up Gardiners Creek trail

5 August 2010. Riders on the Gardiners Creek Trail have benefited from improved lighting following the installation of solar powered lights, imbedded into the path.

City of Stonnington Mayor Cr Tim Smith said the Trail was one of the most popular off-road bicycle routes in Stonnington and initiative improved safety for the hundreds of cyclists who commute along the bike path each day.

“Almost 400 lights were installed on the bike path between Burke Rd and Glen Iris Park. Now all sections of the Gardiners Creek Shared Path are illuminated by light studs.

The first section, between Dunlop Street and Winton Road, was completed in 2007.

“The lights are cost and energy efficient with a life of approximately 10 years," Cr Smith said.

The City of Stonnington was awarded a grant of up to $55,000 from the Department of Transport to install the solar powered lights studs. Council contributed $25,000 to the project.

Possible fix for footpath scramble 

6 July 2010. The City of Boroondara is investigating a new bike bridge across Gardiners Creek to by-pass the short on-footpath section at Glenferrie Road, a notorious conflict point on the otherwise attractive and popular route.

Consultants AECOM have been appointed to undertake a feasibility study for the new bridge, proposed to be east of Glenferrie Roadd. AECOM will provide, by end August 2010, a concept design and a cost estimate of the following:

• Shared path on north side of Gardiners Creek approaching bridge location.
• New pedestrian/bicycle bridge across Gardiners Creek east of Glenferrie Road.
• Link to and upgrade of shared path on south side of Gardiners Creek.

The consultant is required to consult with City of Stonnington and Melbourne Water.

Cyclists and pedestrians have long been concerned about conflict where the Gardiners Creek Trail (GCT) involves joint use of the narrow Glenferrie Road footpath. Citybound cyclists are required to perform a loop manoeuvre to gain access to the trail on the south side of the creek before proceeding under Glenferrie Road.

The potential for conflict occurs with pedestrians at the entrance off Glenferrie Road and along the shared footpath along the eastern side of Glenferrie Road. This is exacerbated during peaks where cyclist and pedestrian numbers, particularly students, are at a maximum.

The City of Boroondara has developed a masterplan for the Howard Smith Reserve through which the GCT passes on the north side of the creek. The plan realigns the GCT to minimise conflict with pedestrians and provides for a separate pedestrian path adjacent to the Gardiners Creek Trail as an alternative for pedestrians who do not feel comfortable walking on the shared trail. The plan also proposes a new shared bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Gardiners Creek east of Glenferrie Road.

Bicycle Network Victoria looks forward to this project being implemented.  Photo right shows area of conflict with pedestrians under the freeway on Glenferrie Rd footpath.
 

Bicycle Network Victoria submitted this proposal to Boroondara Council and the Monash Widening team in January 2008

More reconstruction on Trail [updated]

31 March 2010. The sub-standard section of the busy Gardiners Creek Trail between Toorak Road and the Hawthorn Velodrome will be reconstructed, with with work starting soon.

The path will be closed during April 2010 until June 2010. Suitable nearby detours have been prepared by Boroondara Council.

The project will reduce risk for pedestrians and cyclists by widening and realigning of the path to meet current standards, construction of retaining walls and pedestrian fencing at identified locations.

The $440,000 reconstruction is being jointly funded the council and VicRoads according to both the Boroondara Bicycle Strategy and the Victorian Cycling Strategy.

Significantly, VicRoads will contribute funding to this project because the of the Trail's importance to the Melbourne transport network, recognised by this section's inclusion in the Principle Bicycle Network, the new version of which is soon to become public.

Bank on a Gardiners Creek diversion

19 January 2010. A project to rebuild the bank of the Gardiner's Creek at High Street, Glen Iris, will require a route diversion for the next month or so.

Riders will not be able to pass under the High Street Bridge because of work to control erosion of a 60 metre section of the creek's north bank.

Bicycles and pedestrians will be detoured away from the creek along Brixton Rise and High Street, crossing at the pedestrian crossing.

The work is being undertaken by Melbourne Water.

More than 850 plants will be used to revegetate the project area following the erosion control works. Replacing non-indigenous vegetation with native plants will, in time, help to improve the environmental health of the area and create a better habitat for fish, birds and insects.

More details, including a map are here.

Council acts on car menace

26 August 2009. Boroondara Council has undertaken to act against cars which are illegally driving over and parking on the Gardiners Creek Trail at Tooronga.

The Council has already installed bollards at the main entry point being used by the drivers.

However they have since adopted another entry strategy which takes them on a longer journey down the Creek embankment and along the trail, further imperilling bike riders and pedestrians.

The Council is now considering further measures to stamp out the habit.

It has been suggested that the offenders are associated with the Stockland property development nearby. It would not be positive for that company's reputation if this was true, and the vehicles continued to pose a hazard.

Long wait over on Gardiners Creek

28 July 2009. The year-long closure of the popular Gardiners Creek Trail in Malvern and Glen Iris ends Friday afternoon, and commuters will once again return to their preferred route.

The section has been closed due to Monash Freeway widening works and the development of the Glen Iris Wetland.

The upgraded section of the trail between Great Valley Road, Glen Iris, and Tooronga Road, Gardiner will reopen to the public at 1pm on Friday, 31 July 2009.

Following its re-opening, the temporary detour route via Tooronga Road/Carroll Crescent/Wills Street/Great Valley Road will be removed.

The Monash Alliance is resurfacing and line-marking the trail between Great Valley Road and Burke Road.

Over the course of the next few months further enhancements will be made to other sections of the Gardiners Creek bike path in consultation with Bicycle Network Victoria and the local municipalities.

Further out work is underway on bridge construction at East Malvern Station.
 

Monash Freeway widening and Wetlands Trail disruptions to end

21 July 2009 The path closure between great Valley and Tooronga Roads is about to end. Our Advise is that the path will be opened at 1pm on Friday 31July.

Fed funds send Gardiners Creek trail wrong way

4 May 2009. Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese has committed $2.5M to send the Gardiners Creek path in Ashburton in exactly the wrong direction.

The section of the trail from the Malvern Valley Golf Course to Warrigal Road has long been considered the 'missing link' on an otherwise popular commuter and recreation route.

Bicycle Network Victoria members have been campaigning for five years to have the connection completed.

The lack of an underpass for the trail at Warrigal Road has long been the barrier, given the high construction costs.

Wisely, Albanese has seen the good sense of building just such an underpass, committing funds from the Government's $800M community infrastructure program.

But then he went and ruined his good work by sending the trail up hill and down dale, across roads and every which-way, except the obvious, simple and direct route along the Creek. It is obvious, surely, that the Gardiners Creek trail belongs along the Creek.

For the full story on how this simple trail connection headed up the road to ruin, read below.

The Minister has been poorly advised on this matter. Fortunately there is time to get the project back on track.

Detours and upcoming effects on the path

15 July Some time today the Gardiners Ck path was closed by the Stocklands Development east of Tooronga Rd. You can give feedback to Council, Stockland and CC us here

Jun 06 The Monash Freeway upgrade, Stocklands Development, Tooronga Wetlands and other projects will have a short to medium term effect on the path. Read more here

The creekside alignment is under threat

Mar08 We have written to Gavin Jennings (Parks Victoria) and Tim Pallas (Department of Infrastructure as well as the CEOs of those organisations asking them to help the resolve the situation and ensure that the best path gets built. We have also written to Boroondara stressing the importance of building the creekside route rather than the local route they propose.

The local link will not effectively open up the Gardiners Creek Path to residents of Monash and Whitehorse. The creekside route will connect residents of Ashwood, Burwood, Box Hill South and Blackburn into the Metropolitan Trail Network.

We made the point that the Parks Victoria strategy Linking People and Spaces (2004) identifies an action for the 2008 – 2012 period of ‘Close all the gaps in the Gardiners Creek Trail between East Malvern and Blackburn Lake Sanctuary and provide an on-road link north to the Koonung Creek Trail.’

We said that the local link does not meet the aim in the Strategy.

We will keep you up to date as the issue develops.

Feb 08 We have reached a critical moment in the effort to get a link between the Solway Bridge and Warrigal Road - see panel to the right.

The Department of Infrastructure has just announced funding for an alternative to the creekside route. They want us to head away from the creek, (following the orange rider in the picture), go around two sides of a triangle and climb high up into Boorondara rather than go along the creekside route you can see in the picture above. See map below.

We immediately entered urgent talks with the Department but they are firm in their desire to fund the inferior route.

We have spoken to the Minister's office about this issue today 28 February. We will keep you in touch with how the issue develops. Over the coming days we will contact members directly who live in the affected municipalities - Whitehorse, Monash, Stonnington and Boroondara. There will be an update in the next In the Loop for all other members. If this is an important issue for you, click email me updates and you will be notified when this page is changed significantly.

The story so far

In 2003 consultants working for Stonnington identified two routes that would link the Bridge to the underpass at Warrigal Road. See panel opposite. Both of these routes to a greater or lesser extent ran inside the Malvern Valley Public Golf Course. We support either of these routes, but prefer the northern alignment. The photo shows the existing benching that the northern route would use.

In 2006 Stonnington changed tack and appointed a Hansens a new consultant who prepared a report without consulting Bicycle Network Victoria, Boorondara or Monash. A Stonnington Council officer released the report, saying that they had commissioned the Hansen study in order to get the trail out of Stonnington. From then on Stonnington has lobbied for a route that lies completely inside Boorondara.

The Hansens alignment is a joke. From Warrigal Road it climbs to Markham Road (following the orange rider in thepicture) and then turns away from the creek and climbs further to join the Anniversary Trail a kilometre uphill from the Creek. We judge it to be indirect and too steep. It also introduces two road crossings. The 2003 alignments are clearly superior and more consistent with the purpose of the Metropolitan Trail Network.

In 2006 Parks Victoria commited $250 000 towards a link. We have been asking them not to contribute this money to a poor alignment - in particular the one identified by Hansens. 

In 2007 a Council officer at Stonnington told Bicycle Network Victoria at a meeting that he wasn't going to endorse any route that went through any part of the golf course as he was a member of this particular golf course. This could explain the change of approach between 2003 and 2006.

In 2007 Bicycle Network Victoria had site visits at the Warrigal Road bridge with VicRoads, Parks Victoria and Boorondara Council. Subsequent to this meeting VicRoads funded the feasibility study for the underpass and said - if the trail was on a sound alignment and could serve a transport purpose - that they would look favourably on an application to fund the $1.2m underpass and bridge.

Last week we were surprised when the Department of Infrastructure entered the picture with a grant of $250 000 towards the link. The DoI officers responsible have had no conversations with us about this link. In some ways this DoI money is good news as we estimate that the 2003 routes will cost $500 000 from Solway Bridge to the Warrigal Road bridge (without building the underpass). However the DoI officers nominated the Hansen route.

We immediately contacted the Minister and explained the importance of the creekside routes.

Refer to colour-codes on map below:
Blue existing
Purple and Red proposed poor alignment
BV preferred = light Green exists and dark green needs to get built 

View Larger Map

Flood damaged repaired and trail re-opened

Jan 08 Boroondara Council has advised that the Gardiners Creek Trail, between Tooronga Road and Burke Road, has been re-opened. The trail was damaged when part of the bank collapsed into the Gardiners Creek in early January.

The trail was re-opened to the public on January 16. Thanks to the Boroonadara Council and Melbourne Water for working together to get this important shared path back up and running so quickly.

Partial collapse of Gardiners Creek Trail

Jan 08 Boroondara Council has advised that the trail will be closed between Tooronga Road and Burke Road between 7 January 2008 to 20 January 2008 to allow Melbourne Water to undertake urgent remedial works.

Trail users are advised to seek alternatives routes (see map below).

Please be aware that there will also be increased pedestrian numbers on the trail around Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club between January 9-12 due to the AAMI Classic.

For more information, please call 9278 4444.

Jan 08 Recent heavy rainfall has caused the partial removal of a section of Gardiners Creek Trail in Glen Iris.

Trail users are advised to exercise caution near the damaged section, 200m east of Toroonga Road (old Brickworks site / Coles Group Building).

The trail was damaged when part of the bank collapsed into Gardiners Creek.

Access through the trail is still possible, although barricades have been erected halving the trail's width.

Council have requested Melbourne Water to undertake remedial works as soon as possible, and will continue to monitor sections of the trail for any further erosion.

Map of Detour

Blue Line - Inbound detour route

Red Line - Outbound detour route

Click on View Larger Map for greater detail.

Path Upgrade

Apr 07 City of Boroondara are continuing to upgrade sections of the Gardiners Creek Trail, one of Melbourne's busiest offroad commuter routes carrying over 500 riders in the 7-9am weekday peak into town.

Many sections of the path are 'first generation' path which did not anticipate the high levels of use and had many bends and conflict points designed into it. The path in Dorothy Laver reserve (Melways 58 K10) is being reconstructed to higher quality of 3m wide hotmix with concrete edging (refer photo. Note second pass of bitumen nor line marking had not been applied at time of photo being taken).

The path was also designed to minimise the many bends that existed. This will reduce  rider/pedestrian conflict and blind-spots near foliage.

City of Boroondara are also proceeding with an audit of the Gardiners Creek Trail in conjunction with BoroodnaraBUG, Bicycle Network Victoria and consultants. This is part of an initiative to identify a priority list for improvements, help with funding applications to internal and external sources, and to help manage liability concerns.

Announcement of $250,000 to close missing link.

Nov 06 Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor and local MP Bob Stensholt have made an election promise of "a $250,000 commitment to complete the missing link in the Gardiner’s Creek Trail"

The funding is welcomed by Bicycle Network Victoria however the proposed route is a very poor option for riders.

'The proposed path would follow Gardiner’s Creek on the north side from west of Warrigal Road until the Markham Reserve soccer oval. The path would then run next to the oval up to Markham Ave and continue as a shared off road path along Markham Road to Ashburn Grove and on to join the existing Anniversary Trail.'

Click here for a full copy of the announcement.

Bicycle Network Victoria will be strongly advocating for a more direct route that avoids heading north up to Markham Avenue before heading south again to reach the Gardner's Creek Trail (see below for details).

Boroondara Council will be consulting with satkeholders and the community in the coming months. Click on email me updates above to stay informed.

Missing section of trail between Solway St, Ashburton and Warrigal Roads

Jun 06 After inadequate consultation with stakeholders, the City of Stonnington Report has been presented to some interested parties. Bicycle Network Victoria is very disappointed with the proposed route for the connection and at this stage is not supporting the project.

The current proposal does not utilise the southern bank of the creek for the trail, which is the most direct. This proposal does not cater for all users of the trail and while it may provide an indirect (and somewhat frustrating link) for recreational riders, it will not serve as a transport trail.

We will be working with all relevent councils and government agencies to make sure this project delivers an adequate outcome.

Jan 06 The City of Stonnington was successful in receiving a grant for $30,000 and has recently appointed Hansen Landscape Architects to undertake masterplan works for this section of the trail.

Initial site investigation will commence shortly, with community and stakeholder consultation expected in late February/March. Bicycle Network Victoria will be consulted as a stakeholder in the design process.

Feb 05 Boroondara, Monash and Stonnington City Councils are working to fill the Gap in the Gardiners Creek Trail.

Stonnington City Council made a Sports and Recreation funding application through the state government to fund a masterplan.

If granted, Stonnington Counicl will back the grant dollar for dollar and will begin work on a masterplan in the next financial year (2005/06). Council expects to then begin work on the trail in the following financial year (2006/07).

Boroondara City Council developed a masterplan for Markham Reserve which includes a bike path. Council is currently considering their spending allocations for next financial year and is considering this project.

If funding is allocated work will begin in the next financial year.

Background

This long-standing gap in the trail network needs to be fixed, especially since signs went up in Malvern Valley Public Golf Course banning pedestrians and cyclists from using an access track through the golf course in December 2003.

The Gardiners Creek Trail currently finishes at the Solway St bridge at the intersection with the Scotchmans Creek Trail and Anniversary Trail (Melway map 69 B1).

It starts again at Warrigal Rd Melway map 60 G12) but there is no direct connection between these two sections of trail. Some walkers and bike riders had been using a "short cut" through Malvern Valley Public Golf Course but public liability concerns have seen this banned (see picture). 

Both Stonnington and Boroondara Councils need to work together to investigate the best alignment to complete the Gardiners Creek Trail. It is likely that the trail will include a section in Stonnington through the golf course and then crossing the creek into Markham reserve in Boroondara.

On 10 March 2004 Bicycle Network Victoria met on site with the Stonnington Ward Councillor, Judy Hindle, and Stonnington Council staff.

Boroondara Ward Councillor, Keith Walter, was unable to attend but has indicated his interest in the issue.  Boroondara Council staff also attended the site meeting to look at the location and discuss how the gap can be addressed.

As a result of the meeting Boroondara and Stonnington staff will liase to see how a joint concept plan can be developed. Both councils have looked at the issue individually in the past but not jointly.

The old plans only utilise the Stonnington side of the creek and were never implemented.

New public liability requirements would require safety fencing along the entire length of the trail if it were to remain on the Stonnington side so crossing the creek to Markham reserve would also be more aestetically pleasing and benefit residents in both council areas.

The first priority for the councils is to replace the Solway St bridge which has reached the end of it's life but Bicycle Network Victoria believes the completion of the Gardiners Creek Trail through this section should also be a high priority.

You may wish to write to either or both councils to indicate your support for the project and how it would make things better for you. See our Get it fixed web page.

Gardiners Creek Trail in Whitehorse

Jun 04 Bicycle Network Victoria has written to the Whitehorse council to request that improvements are made to the Gardiners Creek Trail. Suggested improvement include:

• Centre line marking to clearly define where the trail goes, particularly at intersections with minor paths and at road crossings. The trail appears to 'disappear' in places and it is not obvious where it continues.

• Realigning the trail on the south side of Burwood Rd to improve the connection to the pedestrian crossing

• Improving the connection of the trail at Box Hill Golf Course between Station St and Sycamore St and make the existing on-road bits more legible.

Jan 03 Whitehorse council opened the Box Hill South section of the Gardiners Creek trail. The trail runs from Canterbury Rd to Box Hill Golf Club, then continues on local roads to meet the existing path from Station St to Warrigal Rd (Melway ref 61 E2-D3). This section of trail had previously been fenced off from public access after concerns were raised by the Golf Club in May 2001.