Advocating for the region
The Northern Trails Strategy 2022 (refer to the document library) builds on the foundations of the previous 2016 Strategy.
Its focus is to deliver and strengthen trails that connect significant features across municipalities and provide wide-scale benefits for the community. The draft 2022 Strategy includes an updated blueprint and strategic framework for the future development and maintenance of a recreational off-road trail network across northern metropolitan Melbourne.
As a collaborative project between Merri-bek, Darebin, Banyule, Hume, Whittlesea, and Nillumbik Councils, Northern Trails 2022 aims to ensure integration of planning, advocacy and development efforts, while making recommendations for trail infrastructure, management, marketing and improvement projects.
The 2022 update reflects changes in context since the 2016 Strategy was adopted including completed trail projects, revised Council priorities, modified landscape as a result of infrastructure projects and changes from growth in population, economy and urban footprint.
Northern Trails 2022
The 2022 Strategy assesses proposed actions for trail improvement against a set of criteria to come up with a priority list of the 'top ten unfunded trail action items' across northern metropolitan Melbourne.
In addition, each of the partner Councils has their own list of ten priorities based on internal strategies and community feedback.
Banyule City Council
Top ten priority trail improvements within Banyule City Council
Click on the dots to find out about the Banyule City Council top 10 unfunded priorities.
What we have done
A number of trail-specific actions were identified through various phases of the project such as a desktop assessment, a strategic document review, a trail audit; and community and stakeholder engagement.
These action items aim to provide a comprehensive and connected trail network.
Stage 2 engagement - 2022
In September 2022, we asked the Banyule community for their feedback to help inform the project and influence new and updated actions for Northern Trails 2022. We received 36 contributions through an online survey where people ranked their top 3 trail Banyule trail projects. Overall, the feedback received aligned with the Strategy's priority list.
Contact us
Have questions or want to learn more about this project, contact us below:
| Name | Joe Doak |
|---|---|
| Phone | 8673 4390 |
| openspaceplanning@banyule.vic.gov.au |
Northern Region
Top ten priority trail improvements for northern region.
Our approach
What we have done
Since the Northern Regional Trails Strategy 2016 we have:
- Reviewed regional and local strategic documents
- Completed a trail audit
- Undertaken a public survey in 2021, which has informed the Strategy refresh
- Identified 25 existing and potential regional trails within the study area, along with related actions.
- Undertook a final round of consultation to ensure we had the priority projects in the correct order.
Deliverables
This project has delivered an updated Northern Regional Trails Strategy that:
- Considers the recommendations of the existing strategies prepared by each participating Council, as well as the Victorian Cycling Strategy (2018-28), Victoria’s Trails Strategy (2013-23) and the State Government’s Strategic Cycling Corridors
- Identifies gaps and opportunities for the provision of an integrated network of trails and a strategic framework for developing, upgrading and maintaining trails across the network
- Considers who and who isn’t already using the regional trail network and why
- Recognises the changing physical landscape of northern metropolitan Melbourne and the impact of significant infrastructure projects
- Defines and quantifies (where possible) the economic, social, health and commuter benefits of developing the regional trail network
- Considers recent impacts of Covid-19 on travel patterns and active transport demand
- Delivers a key advocacy document to attract funding to deliver the Northern Region Trail Network.
What we heard
Stage 1 engagement - 2021
In August 2021, we asked for your feedback to help inform the project and influence new and updated actions for Northern Trails 2022. We received 923 contributions through an online survey.
This is what you told us...
Stage 2 engagement - 2022
In September 2022, we asked for your feedback to help inform the project and influence new and updated actions for Northern Trails 2022. We received 281 contributions through an online survey where people ranked their top 3 trail region wide trail projects.
What we heard
- The draft Strategy priority list was generally in alignment with that of the participants, especially the “top three” priorities, with no stand-out errors in the feedback or long answer submissions.
- There was broad community support for the Strategy across all six Council areas.
The main themes from the regional feedback were:
