Moonee Valley

Walking in Moonee Valley

Walking is an extremely important exercise to encourage both for its personal health and environmental benefits.

Walking is one of the best ways to exercise; it's free, can be done almost anywhere and doesn't require special equipment. For these reasons, it is one of the most accessible forms of physical activity. Whether you are young or old, slow or fast, inexperienced or experienced, there are plenty of options for you to explore.

There are many walking trails throughout Moonee Valley, including:

• AJ Davis Reserve (4.2km, Mel Ref: 15 G9)
• Maribyrnong River (5km, Mel Ref: 28 B5)
• Moonee Ponds Creek (3.5km, Mel Ref: 16 D5)
• Woodlands and Napier Parks (4.8km, Mel Ref: 16 F12)
• Queens Park Heritage Trail (3.5km, Mel Ref: 28 J6)
• Moonee Ponds Heritage Trail (5.3km, Mel Ref: 28 J6)

Brochures are available for most of these trails. For more information please visit www.mvcc.vic.gov.au or phone 9243 8888. 

Cycling and Walking Strategy

The Moonee Valley Cycling and Walking Strategy demonstrates Council’s support and enthusiasm to see “more trips, more often” made by either cycling and walking.  To achieve this, the strategy recognises that physical improvements are not the sole requirement and that an increase in people's desire to walk or cycle is also needed. The strategy recommends network improvements, along with education and promotional programs, aimed specifically at overcoming real and perceived barriers with these modes of sustainable transport.

Cycling and walking offers numerous sustainable outcomes, including economic, environment and social benefits. Walking or riding is cheaper than using a car and of course is also less polluting, reduces congestion on roads and has the added social benefits of greater community health through interaction and physical activity.

Walking School Bus

The City of Moonee Valley remains committed to expanding the Walking School Bus (WSB) Program.

Council has been an active participant in the WSB Program, since 2003, and has successfully continued to be proactive in encouraging physical activity for primary aged children and for children to become active in their neighbourhood.

To date, there are fifteen schools, and over 450 children and 190 volunteers participating in the WSB Program. We have actively encouraged and supported the WSB routes, making Moonee Valley one of the leaders in Australia with this program.  Council continues to promote physical activity as a vital part of good health for kids, and being active everyday helps children to:

• Maintain healthy weight.
• Protect against diseases in later life.
• Improve concentration.
• Boost self esteem.
• Improve physical skills.
• Improve cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health.

For more information on the Walking School Bus Program contact Council on 9243 8888.

Integrated Transport Plan

The City of Moonee Valley has developed its first Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) which will transform the way people travel in and around our City.

The plan addresses ways we as a community can provide quality transport networks while meeting the future challenges of population growth, increasing congestion and freight, rising fuel costs, peak oil, climate changes, and ageing population and health issues.

The Integrated Transport Plan is focused on a 2020 horizon and takes a holistic approach by considering issues and developing a range of initiatives including public transport, private vehicles, freight, cycling, walking and travel and transport networks and management.

Buckley Street Pedestrian and Cyclist Underpass

A 4m wide, shared pedestrian and cyclist underpass was opened in  2010 to link the Maribyrnong River and Steele Creek shared paths on either side of Buckley Street in West Essendon.  The new underpass is allowing cyclists and pedestrians to access the two paths without having to cross at the busy Buckley Street and Lily Street intersection. 

It was designed to ensure a safe and high quality environment is provided for all users, and provides many community benefits like:

• Safe off-road connections between the Maribyrnong River Trail and the Steele Creek Trail.
• Improved access and connection to St Bernard’s College and Rosehill Secondary College.
• Increase and promote the physical and social well being of children and the local community through the development of School Travel Plans. 

This project is funded through the Department of Transport’s Local Area Access Program with joint funding from VicRoads and the City of Moonee Valley.