Darebin: no dedicated cycling projects in 2025/26 budget

Written By Streets Alive Darebin

South Crescent, Northcote

At the start of 2025, Darebin Council had two modest but significant projects in the works to improve cycling safety:

  • $50,000 for a modal filter on South Crescent, Northcote

  • $30,000 for feasibility studies on bike lane upgrades along Victoria Road

Both projects aimed to make it safer and easier for people to ride bikes — especially families and schoolchildren. But both were cancelled or put under threat following a motion moved by Councillor Emily Dimitriadis in January 2025, going against officer advice and community views.

A clear safety risk on South Crescent

South Crescent is part of a Strategic Cycling Corridor — a network designed to connect people safely and directly to key destinations like schools, train stations and trails. Officer reports rated the safety risk for people riding on South Crescent as "extreme", based on national Austroads guidelines. Morning peak-hour counts recorded 208 cars and 159 bikes, including many children riding to school.

A modal filter (a simple, low-cost barrier to prevent through-traffic) was recommended to reduce rat-running and create a calmer, safer environment. Despite a 160-signature petition from local residents, the project was cancelled at the January meeting via a motion moved by Cr Dimitriadis.

Victoria Road – important but overlooked

Victoria Road is designated as a Secondary Multi-Modal Street under Darebin’s Strategic Framework Plan in the Transport Strategy. These corridors are intended to prioritise walking and cycling, while also supporting public transport. Victoria Road carries several key bus routes connecting Darebin residents to Northland, La Trobe University, Carlton and the CBD.

Council had allocated $30,000 to explore bike lane safety upgrades along the corridor — particularly in connection with a planned signalised crossing outside the Northcote Aquatic Centre. Council officers confirmed the feasibility work was “related and complementary”, helping people safely access this major destination.

That funding was later removed during the draft budget process via another motion from Cr Dimitriadis.

A low-priority trail takes precedence

In the same budget meeting, Council unanimously supported a feasibility study to extend the St Georges Road Trail north to Merri Creek. While this connection would be welcome, it was ranked fifth in priority under the Northern Trails Strategy 2022 — behind more urgent fixes such as the unsafe and congested St Georges Road / Merri Parade / Charles Street intersection.

With a history of deferring or cancelling low-cost cycling projects, it’s unclear whether Council can realistically fund this trail extension — even in partnership with, and with financial support from, Melbourne Water.

Missed opportunity to restore funding

At the final budget meeting in June, Cr Ruth Jelley moved to allocate $145,000 in unallocated capital funds directly to cycling projects. This proposal was voted down.

Instead, Cr Dimitriadis moved to allocate the funds to the “footpaths and cycleways renewal” budget line. Officers clarified that this line can only be used to renew existing paths — not upgrade or build new cycling infrastructure — and there is no guarantee any of it will benefit people riding bikes.

Failing to deliver on our own commitments

South Crescent is a Strategic Cycling Corridor. Victoria Road is a priority multimodal street. Both align with Darebin’s adopted Transport Strategy and Climate Emergency Plan, which call for safe, connected, low-stress walking and cycling infrastructure.

  • Strategic Cycling Corridors are intended to:

  • Link important destinations like schools, shopping centres and transport hubs

  • Provide safe, direct, and connected routes for everyday trips

  • Support 20-minute neighbourhoods and encourage a shift away from car use

  • Reduce transport emissions and road congestion

Darebin Council has committed to increasing the proportion of trips made by bicycle to 10%. But in 2025–26, not a single dedicated cycling project was funded — even when the funds, plans, and community support were all there.

Backgrounder - South Crescent issues

Streets Alive Darebin
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