The state government is moving ahead with plans to upgrade the trails on the lower reaches of Merri Creek.
Currently, the Capital City Trail/Merri Creek Trail from Rushall Station through Fitzroy North, Northcote, Clifton Hill, and Fairfield to the Yarra River is in places substandard, unattractive and risky.
It weaves though a wonderful environment and has great potential for riders and walkers.
With $1.2 million from the state government, a planning study is underway to determine what needs fixing, where, when, how, and how costly.
Options set to be assessed include the construction of a raised path from the Merri Creek Trail at river level up to the Capital City Trail at road level, and a new shared path bridge over the Merri Creek at High Street.
The Merri Creek facilities will come under more pressure when the North East Link builds a new bike trail along the north side of the Eastern Freeway that will link to the Merri Creek.
Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous said the inner north was blessed with beautiful waterways and trails.
"Encouraging more people to use them reduces the number of cars on our roads, improves our collective health and connects our community.”
Member for Northern Metropolitan Sheena Watt said: “We’re looking at ways to make these trails safer and better connected for the people who use them to get to work, head to school or university, or simply see some of the city’s most popular sights.”
Professor Nicholas Williams, President of Friends of Merri Creek, said: “A continuous, high quality shared path from Wallan to Dights Falls is a key goal of the Friends of Merri Creek.
"This welcome commitment will deliver a well-planned solution that allows the separate movement of both people and wildlife through this very special, but constricted part of the creek corridor,” he said.