The Northern Trails Strategy (2022) is a regional strategy for planning, development and improvement of the walking and bike riding trails in Northern Melbourne. The strategy was developed in 2016 in collaboration with Merri-Bek, Banyule, Hume, Whittlesea and Nillumbik councils.

In 2021 and 2022, we asked for your feedback on the strategy and proposed updates to it.

Thanks to everyone who had their say on the draft updates to the strategy. We incorporated your feedback in the updated Northern Trails Strategy by:

• Changing the Maroondah Aqueduct trail alignment (regional priority 3)
• Reprioritising the “Northern Pipe Trail 02 (Improving the St Georges Rd path connect across Merri Pde) within Darebin’s top 10, from 9th priority to 3rd priority.
• Including reference to relevant Acts and associated document in future planning including the Yarra Strategic Plan
• Changing the name of Moreland Council to Merri-bek Council throughout the strategy
• Including further updates to the 2016 trail projects’ status

The updated strategy was endorsed by Council in December 2022. All partner Councils have now endorsed the updated strategy.

The updated strategy will be used to increase Darebin’s advocacy to ensure the State Government provides additional funding to implement the identified trail improvement projects.