Supporters

Cr Michael Nolan, City of Boroondara 2026

The Box Hill to Hawthorn shared user trail is the missing link in our city.

There is no off-road path through the central east-west corridor from Box Hill Station through Mont Albert, Canterbury, Hawthorn East and Hawthorn. For most people, cycling on roads with cars is not an option.

Students have no safe off-road route from Hawthorn to Swinburne or Box Hill TAFE, or from Canterbury, Kew or Hawthorn to local secondary schools.

People in central Boroondara lack a safe way to ride to work in the city, to the Hawthorn Aquatic Centre, or from Surrey Hills to Box Hill Station.

Building the trail would create a safe, direct and continuous route for students, workers and the community, reducing congestion, improving health and cutting emissions.

Infrastructure Victoria has identified Box Hill to Docklands as a key priority for our growing city, costing it in the tens of millions.

Whitehorse and Boroondara Councils stand with the community in calling for the trail to be built with State Government funding and backing.

The time is now.

Cr Felicity Sinfield, Mayor, City of Boroondara 2024

“Council supports the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail Strategic Cycling Corridor through its adopted Boroondara Bicycle Strategy. The corridor presents a significant opportunity to deliver a high quality, low stress dedicated off-road (where possible) link that would provide a range of benefits to both the Boroondara community and broader communities.  

It would allow for a safe, connected and direct corridor to walk and ride linking major activity centres, shopping centres, train stations, local schools, Swinburne University and other local attractions.  We continue to advocate to the Victorian Government to commit and build a fit for purpose trail to better meet the needs of the communities now and into the future.”  

Cr Mark Lane, Mayor, City of Whitehorse, 2023

"Whitehorse City Council strongly supports the implementation of the Hawthorn to Box Hill Cycling Corridor.  It will provide a real transport option for people looking to use active transport for short and long trips and help provide connections to other trails, including the Box Hill to Ringwood Trail."

"The Hawthorn to Box Hill Cycling Corridor is identified in Action 4.3 in the Box Hill MAC Integrated Transport Strategy (2020), to implement Strategic Cycling Corridors in Box Hill.  It is also included as a priority project in the Eastern Regional Trails Strategy, of which Whitehorse City Council is a member."

Cr Jarrod Gunn, City of Whitehourse, Aug 2006

The Hawthorn to Box Hill SUP has the potential to be a cycling super highway in Melbourne’s east. The Djerring Trail / Gardiners Creek Trail in the city’s south east has already demonstrated the benefit of dedicated direct route cycling paths whilst linking suburbs and key destinations in the process. A safe, connected cycling path alongside the Lilydale/Belgrave trail would be a transformative for the task of converting commuters out of cars and on to bikes.

Whilst it will be hugely beneficial for the city-bound commuters from the outer east, the biggest benefit will be for moderate to short distances riders (ie Surrey Hills to Hawthorn, Mont Albert to Box Hill) and connecting existing sections to create a safe, continuous, dedicated cycling corridor. With increasing densification along this train route, this ‘super-highway’ is the only solution available to addressing present and future traffic congestion. That is why it has my full support.

Dr Monique Ryan, Kooyong MP

"It's time we finally build the Box Hill to Hawthorn safe cycling corridor. More than 20 schools and other education instituions will be served by the trail. It will be used by thousands, it will bolster businesses, it will cut emissions and save transport costs." Australian Parliament, 14 June 2023

"I’m urging the Victorian Government to finally get on its bike and build the long-awaited Hawthorn to Box Hill Bike Trail."

"It would cut congestion, save lives, and support local businesses."

"The bike path is the missing link between the east and the city. It would be used by tens of thousands riding to school and work."

Shima Ibuki, community independent candidate for Hawthorn

I strongly support the Hawthorn to Box Hill trail and believe it is time for the Victorian government to commit to funding and deliver this long-awaited project.

As a local resident who cycles, I know how important safe, connected transport options are for our community. Too often, people who want to walk, ride or scoot to school, the shops, a train station or work, are discouraged because there simply isn't a safe and continuous route. 

The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail would change that. It would connect our shopping villages, schools, train stations and communities, while linking into Melbourne's broader cycling network.

This isn't just a cycling project. It's about giving families and young people safer choices, reducing congestion on our local roads, supporting our shopping precincts and making active transport a genuine alternative for everyday trips. 

As the community independent for Hawthorn, I will advocate strongly for the Victorian government to fund and deliver the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail.

Kylie Rocha , Candidate for Hawthorn — Australian Greens Victoria

I strongly support the proposed Hawthorn to Box Hill trail, a project that will create a safe, family friendly bike and walking path for our local community. The trail will provide a strategic link across the inner east, especially between our amazing local schools and Swinburne university, and will also help to support our local shopping precincts.

A separated and safe route between Box Hill and Hawthorn is the missing link in the cycling infrastructure in the east, and its introduction will help many make the switch from driving to active transport. Each and every person that chooses to walk or ride instead of drive means less traffic congestion, lower emissions and better air quality.

The Greens firmly support active transport infrastructure, and we have pledged to commit 5% of the existing transport budget to building a network of safe bike routes across Melbourne and regional centres.

Sophie Torney, indepdendent candidate for Kew

As an independent representative for Kew, I would continue the work of delivering this essential piece of transport infrastructure. We know that greater rates of cycling reduce traffic congestion, pollution and have numerous health and social benefits. 

Unlocking these for the community relies on feasible and significant infrastructure, ensuring the protection and efficient travel of cyclists. This is what the Hawthorn to Box Hill trail provides. 

I support this project and its benefits, and particularly acknowledge its ability to provide safe passage to local schools and businesses.

Jackie Carter,  Candidate for Hawthorn — Australian Greens Victoria

As a long-time Kew resident and nervous cyclist, I strongly support the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail.

Almost 80% of Boroondara residents are interested in cycling more, but many are concerned about safety. Residents consistently identify safer, separated paths as a way to reduce conflict and encourage more people to walk and cycle regularly. The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail would connect homes, schools, shops and public transport, giving people a safe, practical alternative to getting around by car while reducing congestion, costs, and emissions.

The Victorian Greens have pledged to commit 5% of the existing transport budget to building a network of safe bike routes across Melbourne and regional centres. This is the kind of investment our community needs. As your Greens candidate for Kew, I’ll fight to make the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail a reality.

Kate Prest, Camberwell

“Both my children risk their lives to ride to school. Building this trail and linking it with safe separated routes to all schools along the corridor would provide an enormous uplift in wellbeing to so many school aged children and their parents.”

"The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail would provide a safe separated route directly into Camberwell shops so I don’t need to ride along the rather scary Riversdale and Camberwell Roads. “

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail would provide a more direct and flatter route into the city.  It would save me dropping down to Gardiner’s Creek and then having to ride up the hill in the evening.  It would be even better if funding was found to build a new pedestrian/bike bridge across the Yarra to link to the separated bike infrastructure through to the City of Yarra.”

Greg Buchanan, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Progress Association

"A bridge over Elgar Road for the shared user path (possibly attached to the existing rail bridge) would improve safety and amenity for cyclists and pedestrians and be a significant step towards linking the Box Hill major activity centre with adjacent communities. Steps such as this must surely magnify the attraction of cycling and walking for people of all ages and abilities and have multiple community wide benefits."

"We add our support and urge a commitment by the Federal and Victorian governments towards finalising the planning and construction of the Box Hill-Hawthorn shared user path." [Letter]

Clive Appleton, Kew

“Excellent initiative; we need to connect bike paths to main centres and trains. Many bike lanes are in fact places where cars park hence they are actually of little value. I would like to see an overarching grand plan for Melbourne bike path connections.”

Malcolm Faul, Hawthorn

“There is currently no east-west shared path across the centre of Boroondara.  This trail is needed to complement the Box Hill to Ringwood trail, which already exists.”

“As a step towards sustainability, we need to encourage cycle commuting in any way possible.”

Dr Lena Sanci, Surrey Hills

“With all the secondary schools in Boroondara we need to enable active transport along the Hawthorn to Box Hill railway line for young people to safely commute to and from school by bike.”

“I would value a safe off road bike path from Camberwell junction to Surrey Hills for local shopping trips”

Rus Hamilton, Canterbury

“To cycle from Canterbury to the Yarra along Burwood road, past Swinburne Uni takes me 20 minutes early Sunday morning. Other times it is too dangerous. To drive to Bridge road in peak hour takes more than an hour during school term. A bike path from BoxHill to the Yarra Hawthorn is a no-brainer, particularly because the unfit uni students could use  E-bikes.”

Glennys Jones, Glen Iris

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail will provide a safe and connected Active Transport corridor schools, public transport, shops and recreational facilities designed to meet the needs of all ages and abilities.”

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail has the potential to reduce car dependence in our community, reducing traffic congestion and providing an affordable sustainable option for getting around Boroondara and beyond.”

“Walking, riding and scooting to school gets kids out of cars. It builds fitness, independence and resilience.   The Hawthorn to Boxhill Trail provides access to over twenty schools and a safe option for kids to get active daily.”

David Blom, Nunawading

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail will save riders from Box Hill through to Ringwood at least 5km on their daily commute compared with routes that go via the Koonung Creek Trail or the Gardiners Creek Trail (with a good deal less hill climbing) and will make going to locations like Hawthorn, Camberwell, Swinburne Uni or Richmond, quicker and safer.”

“This trail will allow riders to start in the CBD and ride along path that follows the train lines to Belgrave (Puffing Billy) or on to Lilydale and to the Warburton and Yarra Valley trails (Wineries, Mt Donna Buang, Healesville Sanctuary), making recreational and cycle tourism of some of Victoria’s best tourism locations all that little bit closer.”

Kevin Lee, Balwyn

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill trail will provide a safe connection to the city by bicycle, instead of using  circuitous off-road paths, or lots of indirect back streets to avoid main roads, especially in Camberwell, Hawthorn East and Hawthorn.”

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill trail will save a lot of distance by being a much more direct route to the city.”

Michael Hassett, Blackburn

“This is a vital component of a much needed cycling corridor serving Melbourne’s East.”

“More people cycling improves health and avoids carbon emissions.”

Don McDonald, Surrey Hills

“The Victorian government has already completed a strategic assessment of proposal.”

“Only a modest investment for a great return in recreational, commuting and health benefits.”

“Accept some potentially difficult detailed routing decisions and expensive grade separated crossings of Elgar and Canterbury roads.”

Vaughn Allan, Hawthorn

“It’s time we gave people genuine alternatives to reduce their transport emissions with safe and separate bike lanes.”

“We can’t get to net zero emissions without more people walking and cycling. We can’t get more people walking and cycling without safer infrastructure like the Box Hill to Hawthorn trail.”

“Delivering the Box Hill to Hawthorn trail would allow me to ride to and from work completely separate from traffic. It’s time we got on with it!”

Zane Jackson, Box Hill

“I cycle to work regularly from Box Hill to Richmond. I love cycling to keep fit, but the current on road route is unsafe and I have had a few near misses. This trail would improve my day to day life hugely, encourage me and my colleagues to cycle more often and keep so many people on bikes safe.”

Greg Curtin, Blackburn Sth

“The Box Hill to Hawthorn rail trail would galvanise bike riding to the city from the Eastern suburbs – a truly fantastic cycling opportunity!”

“It would complement the Box Hill to Ringwood rail trail and provide a significant boost to cycling in Melbourne.”

“Commuters could ride part way, train part way, easing rail congestion!”

Shaun Ruigrok, Ringwood

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail will finally provide the missing efficient and direct route to the city from the eastern suburbs that we so desperately need.”

“This will make cycling a viable alternative to driving for commuters, shoppers, families, and more – encouraging more people to ride more often.”

Peter Campbell, Surrey Hills

“I would use the Hawthorn to Box Hill trail for both local and longer cycling trips. We need safe bike routes to encourage more people to ride bikes.”

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill trail would be used by many students to get to their school or Swinburne University. There are twenty schools and other education institutions either adjacent to the trail or very close to it.”

“The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail will provide a healthy, safe and sustainable transport option that will reduce carbon emissions, save money on fuel costs and decrease traffic congestion.”