Eight years and counting: Yarra Valley cycling trail’s uphill battle towards completion

A costly VCAT battle, rebuilding bridges lost in the Black Saturday bushfires and waterlogging issues have pushed back works on the Yarra Valley Trail by more than three years, with the eventual completion still uncertain due to a funding deficit.

A local cycling enthusiast told the Eastern Melburnian the project had been “moving at a snail’s pace” since it was first launched in 2018.

🚴 What is the trail? Following alongside the Lilydale to Yarra Glen rail corridor, the cycling trail aims to connect Yarra Glen and Healesville to the popular Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail, with further extensions subject to additional funding or within the planning approval phase.

• Funding of the trail includes $7.4 million from the Federal Government and $3.5 million from the State Government, with the council contributing $2.5 million to date.

• Stage 1A – connecting Lilydale and Yering – has been opened, as well as part of Stage 1B – a 1.1-kilometre section north of McIntyre Lane in Yering. Part of Stage 2A – Yarra Glen to Tarrawarra – has also opened.

🗓️ Why has the project been delayed? Originally slated for completion by September 2022, Stage 1B posed additional and costly challenges to the council, due to the requirement to rebuild a number of bridges lost in the 2009 Black Saturday fires, prolonged wet weather causing waterlogging and lengthy VCAT appeal procedures to secure a planning permit.

• Due to the delays, the council decided to separate Stage 1B into a number of phases, with the second stage – a 1.5-kilometre section – now underway. It’s hoped the section will be opened in mid-2026. 

• The existing end of the trail does not connect to Melba Highway or Yarra Glen, meaning cyclists are required to turn around at the end of the new section.

• Crossing the Yarra River will require more funding towards the construction of a bridge and 800 metres of proposed boardwalks.

💰 Cash push: Yarra Ranges councillor Fiona McAllister told the Eastern Melburnian advocating for additional funding is one of the council’s top priorities heading into this year’s state election.

🩹 Unsafe alternatives: Local cyclist Adam Fletcher said the only option for cyclists wanting to ride to Yarra Glen – “doing a dance with B-double trucks, vans and holidaymakers on the Melba Highway” – was “very dangerous”.

• 🗣️ “I’ve been waiting since 2022 for the completion so I don’t have to risk my life,” Fletcher told the Eastern Melburnian. “Unfortunately, it’s now 2026 and the rail trail still seems not at all close to completion.”