Maribyrnong City Council purchased a parcel of land on the southern side of the river from Medway Golf Club in 2019, with plans to build a shared path. This was part of their key objective to achieve continuous public access along the river.

The continuation of the shared trail between the M102 water pipe bridge and Saltwater Crescent in Maidstone is the final missing link in the north of the city. Connecting this path network will also improve linkages to the other side of the Maribyrnong River and to shared paths within Moonee Valley City Council.

With Melbourne Water’s plans to construct a new sewer through this space, it made sense to hold off on building the new path until the new sewer had been installed. Melbourne Water is co-funding and building the new shared path, and Maribyrnong City Council will be responsible for owning and maintaining it.

Due to the space constraints of the land, and to remain consistent with what other existing paths look like on either side of the river, the new shared path will be a single path for shared use.

It will be designed to cater for current uses in the area including bikes, walkers, scooters, dog on-lead walkers, and runners. It will be suitable for all abilities, including people with prams and wheelchair users.

The new shared path will be created following works to install the new sewer. The open space and shared path will be available for public use in late 2023.

Melbourne Water investigated the possibility of installing the new sewer pipe on the M102 water main bridge, however due to its age (it's approximately 100 years old), it was not safe to put the added weight of the sewer onto this bridge.

We also knew there was a community desire for a better bridge crossing in this location, especially for people of all abilities, and to make it safer for cyclists.

The flow requirements of the gravity-fed sewer and lie of the land determined that the new bridge must be located in this spot for the sewer to function effectively.