Yarra Valley Trail Project

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The route

The preferred route is:

  • Stage 1 via the Lilydale to Yarra Glen railway reserve with the construction of a rail trail to the recently constructed Yarra Glen Historic Railway Station
  • Stage 2 via a shared use path in the Yarra Glen to Healesville Hwy reservation and improving an existing footpath through the Healesville Township
  • Stage 3 via the Coranderrk Aqueduct and connecting with Yarra Bridge Reserve down Timberline Rd and onto the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail in Woori Yallock. This option is considered the long term option due to access not being granted by Melbourne Water until the aqueduct is decommissioned, scheduled in 5 years.

What is the project cost

  • $10,654,000

What is the environmental impact?

  • The feasibility study and design process has explored theplanning and environmental issues with the Yarra Valley Trail.
  • The trail crosses the boundaries of multiple land managers. Each section has different legislative and policy impacts that may influence the planning, design and delivery of the project.
  • The trail will protect the old railway reserve and Coranderrk Aqueduct and its cultural heritage whilst being an important ecological corridor from Lilydale to Yarra Glen to Healesville to Warburton.
  • Environmental benefits of walking and cycling are achieved through reduced motor vehicle use leading to reduced congestion and vehicle emissions, improved local air quality and reduced carbon dioxide (a significant greenhouse gas associated with global warming) in the atmosphere.

What are the social and health benefit?

  • The 40km Yarra Valley Trail is ready to be transformed into a rail trail, off road cycling route and aqueduct trail.
  • The Yarra Valley Trail will wind its way around the undulating Yarra Valley countryside and through the Yarra Ranges National Park to connect with the iconic Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail. The trail will encompass spectacular vistas of Christmas Hills and the Dandenong Ranges providing a unique recreation and cultural experience for the local community and visitors.
  • .Located on the outskirts of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley Trail will be directly accessed via either a short drive or directly from the Lilydale train line. There is no need for a car and the trail will provide a convenient day trip to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges and its well-established wineries, significant National and State Parks and the Healesville Sanctuary Zoo, considered major tourist destination for visitors to Victoria.

What is the economic and tourism impact?

  • The Yarra Valley Trail will attract 210,040 users each year and generate $30,317,188 economic benefit and 222 jobs to the region, attracting new business and positioning the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges as a cycling, adventure racing and walking destination.
  • It brings new bike, retail, food and beverage and accommodation business to the area.

What community engagement has been undertaken and what was the outcome?

  • There is a high demand for the Yarra Valley Trail. The trail will attract on a local, regional and state-wide basis.
  • The Yarra Valley Trail will pass through the Yarra Valley considered a State One Tourist Destination that now features cider and winery ride-about tours and the very popular Healesville Sanctuary Zoo. The Yarra Valley will also soon feature a heritage railway that will accommodate riders from Yarra Glen to Healesville.
  • Yarra Ranges conducted a Yarra Valley Trail survey in November and December 2015 and received a statistically valid response rate with 1223 respondents. 44% of responses were from Yarra Ranges residents.

Key findings from the survey include:

  • 98% of responses supportand would usethe Yarra Valley Trail proposal
  • The primary catchment of the trail is within 1 to 2 hours (38%) of the Yarra Valley
  • Most overnight stay was highlighted for respondents 2 hours plus from the Yarra Valley Trail. However 22% of respondents for those within 1 to 2 hours also identified overnight stay
  • Responses were received from interstate highlighting the appeal to domestic travellers
  • 97% identified that they would use it for health and fitness, whilst 70% identified that it would be good for family gathering
  • The predicted spend per visit to be $250 to $500 (24%). Also, 98% stated they would eat at cafes and restaurants along the trail
  • 72 businesses (6% of responses) responded in support of the proposal.
  • It can be assumed that with the construction of the Yarra Valley Trail, that 98% of people within a 2 hour drive of the Yarra Valley Trail will form the catchment of the trail. Therefore the catchment area reaches Melbourne and regional cities of Geelong and Frankston, Ballarat and Traralgon and includes a population of over 4 million people