City skyline view over Wetlands & drainage basin where Upfield Bikepath meets the Western Ring Road
“To move, That this House asks the Government to immediately provide $900,000 to the Upfield shared pathway project so Moreland Council can finish the Box Forest Road to Western Ring Road section, giving cyclists a safe route away from dangerous Sydney Road and notes Moreland Council’s commitment of $300,000.”
Living close to the Western Ring Road you notice the extensive time and construction being undertaken in this major road improvement. It is well past due that the major missing cycling link for the Upfield Bikepath from Box Forest Road to the Western Ring Road cycle path – just 2 kilometres of gap – was also finally completed.
Moreland Council has committed significant funding for this project, but it needs the State Government to also commit funding. Cudos to Ms Campbell for pushing Denis Napthine’s Liberal Government on this issue.
There are other issues associated with the Upfield bikepath, including a safe crossing at Munro street in Coburg, and at Renown St and Batman Ave in Coburg North.
Bicycle Network Victoria detail the history of pushing for the completion of the Upfield Bike Path to the Western Ring road path.
In August 2010 I accompanied several people on bicycle, including Nick Elliott from Moreland Council, to survey and inspect this missing link. The first part along Sage Road past Gowrie Station is relatively straightforward, but the remaining portion would require co-operation and negotiation with using railway land and Melbourne water land to complete the link to the Western ring road path.
A path on top of the mound overlooking the Melbourne water drainage basin would provide views across to the Northern Memorial Park, the northern extension of Fawkner Cemetery. As these are wetlands used for flood mitigation, it might be a great place for watching for water birds during wet periods.
Western Ring Road bikepath at Hadfield heading for Sydney Road. A beautiful sunset/sunrise ride.
Sustainable Fawkner 
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