What next for the Hurstbridge Rail Corridor?

The Hurstbridge Feasibility Study was adopted by Council on 5 September 2022.

Watch a recording of the Council Meeting or view the Council minutes and report here.

Thank you for your feedback on the Hurstbridge Rail Corridor - Active Travel and Open Spaces.

The consultation results were used to help us develop final recommendations for the study, which will inform our advocacy efforts to State and Federal Government agencies that own sections of the land, as well as our own infrastructure program.

What you told us

Click on the button below to find out about what you told us during the recent consultation

Background

The Banyule section of the Hurstbridge Rail Corridor is 18km long and extends from Darebin station to Montmorency station.

Along the corridor there are significant centers of activity and employment, including Greensborough and Ivanhoe, and the commercial and health precincts in Heidelberg. Local retail centers surround many of the stations including Watsonia, where the Watsonia Town Square redevelopment will take place following the receipt of State Government funding.

Hurstbridge Feasibility Study - open space and urban design

Banyule is fortunate to have extensive public open space, contributing to our local lifestyle, identity and character.

To build on these attributes, Council has worked with a consultant to come up with options to improve open space and active transport along Banyule's section of the Hurstbridge rail line. This is the Hurstbridge Rail Corridor Feasibility Study.

The draft Study explores safe, direct and feasible active transport options to connect residents and users to places along the rail line and nearby activity centers. It also outlines options to improve urban design and landscaping to create more attractive and welcoming spaces.

The guiding principle of Council’s Open Space Strategy is community health and wellbeing, which recognises the significant health benefits provided by proximity to natural environments. The area along the rail line presents an opportunity to enhance access and improve options for active transport through best practice open space and urban design principles.

Rail corridor sections

Maps have been developed covering the length between each rail station within Banyule, showing issues, opportunities and concept plans for active transport and landscaping/open space.

Click on the area map/s that interest you and have a look what opportunities there are for the area near you.