A shared bike and pedestrian path was previously slated for Queens Avenue,Caulfield East,but that plan was cancelled earlier this year along the road for the path to be built.
Derby Crescent resident Trevor Pitkin opposes plans for a bike path along his street.Luis Enrique Ascui
However,the proposed alternative has led to another outcry. Some residents who initially supported the campaign to stop the bike path plan on Queens Avenue have created a splinter group as the bike path project is now potentially headed for their street.
The Level Crossing Removal Authority has flagged Derby Crescent,which runs behind Queens Avenue and was previously ruled out for a bike path,as a potential alternative site for two on-road bicycle paths aimed at linking Glen Huntly station,Caulfield station and the Djerring Trail in the east with Ormond,Bentleigh and McKinnon in the south.
The newly formed Derby Residents Group is fighting the mooted alternative plan,which residents say will remove trees and parking space,and contribute to issues they had already faced with level-crossing removal works.
Derby Crescent resident Trevor Pitkin said his street had been “invaded” by level-crossing removal works since they began on the Frankston line in 2022.
Pitkin said the works had decimated a once-lush garden residents had planted over decades to provide a screen from the railway line. Trees and plants were removed,he said.
“This street has had plenty of hits,” said Pitkin,who supported saving trees on Queens Avenue. “It’s been a long saga of disappointment with[the Level Crossing Removal Project].”
He said Derby Crescent residents felt they were being abandoned by the QueenSAVEtrees group.
“We were over there trying to save the trees on Queens Avenue ... they got the victory,and we got the potential outcome. They could have shown similar support for our cause,seeing as we face similar problems.”
Nicky Willis from the QueenSAVEtrees group said neighbours had snubbed each other on the street and had heated conversations.
“I understand the broader distress and don’t agree with a bike path on Derby Crescent if it means removing trees and amenities of those residents,” Willis said.
She said the issue could be solved if the authority looked at other options and improved community consultation.
“We are squabbling over two residential streets. I do think the lack of consultation underscores the issues.”
The Derby Residents Group has presented a petition signed by 51 residents and a submission to Glen Eira Council,urging it to consider the impact of a bike path on their street. The campaign that began in late December to stop any tree felling on Queens Avenue garnered more than 9000 signatures on change.org,with support from across Melbourne.
The Derby Residents Group has also put green bows on trees along the street and placed signs reading “Make Derby green again” and “Yes to trees,no to bike paths” along the railway fence.
A spokesperson for the Level Crossing Removal Project said a recent community survey showed 67 per cent of respondents supported a cycling connection in the suburb and were looking at Derby Crescent as an alternative to Queens Avenue.
“Following a change of position from Glen Eira council and a recent community survey that showed a strong support for the bike path,we are continuing to refine design options for a cycling connection at Derby Crescent,” the spokesperson said.
“The bike path in Glen Huntly is the missing link in this cycling corridor and will provide a connection between Ormond and Caulfield,creating safer journeys for cyclists.”
A design for the path with input from the council is in the early stages and details will be shared with residents and the broader community in the coming weeks,according to the authority.
The authority has also ruled out an off-road shared use path along Derby Crescent,which would have required significant tree removal.
Glen Eira Mayor Anne-Marie Cade acknowledged community concern about the potential loss of trees and amenities in Derby Crescent.
“We have been in communication with them[residents] and we have actually told the[level-crossing project] that whatever design or option is put forward must balance the needs of the community and the local environment,and ensure that there is a retention of trees and that we protect the amenity of the residents,” she said.