Bicycle Network: Metro Routes

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.

Evidence of progress on Scotchmans

5 March 2012.  Sections of the new shared path along Scotchmans Creek in Mount Waverly have been constructed but work seems to have stalled where trees have yet to be removed from the path alignment.

Photographs show the path works at a standstill where the path collides with this large tree. (see photo)

Rider will note the width of the path is 2.5 metres, which is narrower than the currently recommended standard.

Council commitment to East-side route

Bicycle Network Victoria made some suggestions regarding the Scotchmans Creek Trail missing link between Forster Rd and Waverley Road. While recognising with appreciation the progress of work by Council in building the link we also requested among other things that the new path be 3 metres wide to cater for requirements of a major recreational trail.

City of Monash were unwilling to increase the path width from 2.5 metres because of implications for properties affected by the new path, although it is suspected that several key properties along thje Creek have experienced 'title creep' with the fence line having moved itself closer to the Creek.

Monash is still negotiating with land owners for the purchase of some small areas of land.

The engineering alternative of moving Scotchmans Creek westerly for a short distance on to adjacent public land to cater for the path appears to have been dismissed.

Scotchmans missing link found

14 June 2011. Work will start within days on construction of a missing section of the Scotchmans Creek trail in Mount Waverley.

A new path will stretch along the east side the of the Creek water way reserve from Forster Road to Waverly Road.

Although the alignment is not completely finalised, the first 220 metre stage—in 2.5 metre wide concrete—will get underway immediately. (See larger map).

The full project could be finished within 12 months, subject to the successful acquisition of two small segments of private property.

Scotchmans Creek Trail is the principal shared pathway through the City of Monash connecting Melbourne CBD to Jells Park at Wheelers Hill, also providing a valuable link from Forster Road to Glen Waverley Activity Centre.

The new link will replace the temporary on-road route along Rhonda Street and Anthony Drive that was constructed in the early 1990’s.

It was long intended to take this section of the trail along the west side of the Creek, and this was stipulated in the planning permission for the Nursing Home which was constructed there. However, the outcome was unsatisfactory.

The current proposed route follows the most easterly alignment of the reserve, which is not ideal, but whcih will be a massive improvement over the current on-road detour.

The project is being funded by Monash City Council with assistance from the Federal Government.

New fix for Scotchmans path missing link

25 February 2009. A missing link in the popular Scotchmans Creek pathway at Mount Waverley can now be fixed, under a new plan developed by local residents.

The missing section, near Waverley Road, was meant to be resolved by a new section path constructed as part of a nursing home development on the west side of the Creek.

Despite a ruling by the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that the path be separated from the development, it was incorporated into an access road to the nursing home, defeating the intent of the ruling and making the route unsuitable for use by children. (See photos of access road with vehicle)

However, it has now emerged that a superior solution is to extend the existing path on the east side of the Creek, where there will be a Melbourne Water maintenance track adjacent to land owned by the same developer responsible for the work on the west side.

This route, thoroughly and professionally investigated by locals, including former Waverley mayor Peter Davies, saves the cost of a new bridge across the Creek, improves flood protection for the developer, creates a safer environment for the residents of the aged care facility, and results in a much superior path with improved gradients.

Bicycle Network Victoria will be backing this new plan and will be seeking an early commitment from Monash City Council to support the proposed east-side path alignment.

Good route, but gaps a problem

This route starts at Jells Park and ends at East Malvern station where it links up with the Gardiners Creek Trail and the Anniversary-Outer Circle Trail.

This trail is useful for commuters from Melbourne's eastern suburbs who want to go into the City and those wanting to access Monash University in Clayton or Chadstone Shopping Centre.

There are several gaps along the Scotchmans Creek Trail, including sections that take you through back streets.

Bicycle Network Victoria would like to see the following improvements made along this route: 

• The gap filled along the Scotchmans Creek Trail between Ivanhoe St and Tom Begg Ct. 
• The navigational devices along the trail need to be improved.