[YarraBUG-list] Yarra Council approves Rushall Reserve Shared Path!

[YarraBUG Admin]

Hi all,

As mentioned in previous update, Yarra Council met last Tuesday (2nd 
August) to decide upon the proposed path.

http://www.yarrabug.org/2016/08/08/yarra-council-approves-rushall-reserve-shared-path/

It was an incredibly long evening with a packed Richmond Town Hall 
council meeting that also heard two other big local issues (South 
Vietnamese flag & ongoing CUB dispute)

Many of us stayed right to the end for the Rushall vote, which finally 
came at a eye-watering 12.30am on Wednesday morning.

Please scroll down this page for additional details and motion passed 
with amendments.

A heartfelt thank you must go to Zoe Metherell, Maude Farrugia and many 
local residents for the wonderfully positive Share Rushall Reserve – 
Build the Path campaign, and please stay in touch on the facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1174422815931531/

Thank you so much for your continued strong support to improve 
accessibility to the Rushall Reserve area and Merri Creek Trail!



*****

 From City of Yarra: Council approves Rushall Reserve Shared Path (8 
August 2016)

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/hot-topics/rushall-approval/


Yarra City Council will proceed with plans to build a shared path in 
Rushall Reserve in North Fitzroy, following extensive community 
engagement on the proposal.

The path will link the existing Merri Creek Trail between Rushall 
Station and Koonda Lat Bridge, providing enhanced access to the Reserve.

In particular the path will make the Reserve accessible to people with 
mobility issues, people with children in prams, and people using Yarra’s 
off-road bicycle network. It will also provide a safer connection to 
bypass the pedestrian underpass at Rushall Station.

Council made the decision at its Meeting on 2 August, which was attended 
by about 100 community members. At the meeting, Council heard and 
considered submissions from 28 people expressing a range of views on the 
project.

Council’s decision follows multiple phases of community engagement on 
the project, beginning in 2015. Consultation on a draft design for the 
shared path earlier this year saw contributions from hundreds of 
community members.

The construction of the path is subject to approval from VicTrack and 
necessary planning permit approvals.

Council thanks all those who participated in the community consultation 
on this project for their valuable feedback and ideas.

Read Council’s full resolution below:

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

That Council notes:
(a) the proposals for “a safer, more environmentally sympathetic and 
user friendly trail” at Rushall Reserve as proposed in the 2008 Merri 
Creek Trail Review;

(b) the extensive consultation process on path design and Reserve 
amenity during April – May 2016, as determined by Council resolution at 
its meeting on 21 July 2015, following an earlier consultation process 
March – May 2015;

(c) quantitative data identified that:

(i) 127 of 205 local Yarra respondents generally supported the draft 
design, while 76 Yarra respondents did not support the path or had 
concern with the draft design;

(ii) 62 of 97 local non-Yarra respondents supported the draft design 
with or without modification, while 34 did not support the path or had 
concern with the draft design;

(d) a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) found that no Aboriginal 
cultural heritage material was located and was unlikely to be located 
within the activity area given the high levels of disturbance across the 
high activity area;

(e) feedback from the Disability Advisory Committee seeking an asphalt 
surface rather than concrete;

That Council:
(a) resolves to proceed with the construction of a 2.0 metre asphalt 
path on the edge of Rushall Reserve linking the existing Merri Creek 
Trail between Rushall Station and Koonda Lat Bridge generally consistent 
with the design consulted on with the community during April-May 2016, 
with adjustments as per (d) below;

(b) authorises officers to prepare the necessary information to submit a 
planning permit application as required under the Yarra Planning Scheme;

(c) endorses a re-design of the path, with the objective of retaining 
the significant tree shown as Number 5 on Attachment 1 on the basis that 
the final design is assessed against the AustRoads Guidelines, in the 
event that the above is not able to be achieved, authorises officers to 
commence the planning permit application for the removal of the 
significant tree as required under the Yarra Planning Scheme;

(d) endorses the final design to include the following items:

(i) except where decking is required, that the path be constructed in 
asphalt;

(ii) offset the path (in a particular location) to provide the required 
separation from the City West Water pipe;

(iii) measures to slow the speed of bicycles and other mobility aids 
using the path;

(iv) planting of intermittent low vegetation along the edge of the path 
with appropriate segments of fencing with gates for pedestrian access;

(v) 1.4 metre high fencing along the embankment as a safety measure;

(vi) additional seating in the reserve, the installation of a drinking 
fountain with a dog bowl, and improved signage;

(vii) tree planting in the reserve and ground covers, to offset any tree 
and vegetation removal;

(viii) utilise decking (where necessary) over tree protection zones 
within the Reserve to minimise disturbance to mature trees; and

(ix) have regard to VicTrack risk assessment requirements; and

(e) endorses removal of the existing no-through asphalt path in the 
Reserve given strong support for its replacement with turf to increase 
green open space in the Reserve;

That Council continues advocacy to transport agencies including 
Transport for Victoria to upgrade the sub-standard rail underpass and 
toilet facilities at Rushall Station, to accommodate secure bicycle 
parking at the station, and to seek commitment to such with a timeframe 
for implementation as part of State transport planning.

That Council authorises officers to communicate this resolution to 
people who made submissions as part of the consultation process and 
thank them for their input.



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