Eastern Track at galada tamboore

Project status

Construction of the Eastern Track is complete. Parks Victoria are working to finalise outstanding project matters before opening the track.

Last updated: April 2024

The project

This project is being delivered on Wurundjeri Country.

The marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands are located in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and cover an area of 2,778 hectares, including over 34 km of Merri Creek. The lands and water of the area known as marram baba are significant for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people for its songlines, creation stories and as a place for continued cultural practice.

galada tamboore is a 130-hectare reserve located within these parklands, north of the Metropolitan Ring Road in Campbellfield. The reserve is a site of geological and biodiversity significance that is home to important riparian vegetation, grasslands and wildlife. It also provides an important function as a natural flood-retarding basin.

Parks Victoria has built a new track, called the ‘Eastern Track’ that runs through the galada tamboore floodplain from the Northern Bridge down to the new Southern Bridge. The track provides access for emergency and maintenance vehicles into this area of the park. Visitors can also use the track to respectfully explore and connect with this special area, while minimising impacts to native plants and animals.

The Eastern Track has been built as part of a package of works being delivered in response to recommendations outlined in the galada tamboore Master Plan 2009 and the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands Future Directions Plan 2023.

A view of galada tamboore from the west. Grasslands are in the foreground, with a cloudy blue sky above. The city skyline of Melbourne can be faintly seen in the distance.

Pictured above: A view of galada tamboore from the west.

Project benefits

Environment

The basalt plains of the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands support diverse habitats for protected plant and animal species. The parklands are home to some of the largest remaining native grasslands in the area, and provide habitat for important and vulnerable native wildlife.

The Eastern Track provides access for emergency and maintenance vehicles into galada tamboore for management of this area of the park. The track can also be used by visitors to respectfully explore the area, while minimising impacts to plants and animals.

Visitors and community

The Eastern Track can be used by visitors to respectfully explore and connect with this special place in marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parkland. The local community will be able to enjoy more opportunities to get into nature for fitness, relaxation with friends and family, bird watching and taking in the stunning views of the parklands and beyond.

Project funding

The Eastern Track has been funded by $500,000 from the Victorian Government’s Suburban Parks Program.

Access changes

Access to the new Eastern Track is currently closed. Alternative access is available via Merri Creek Shared Trail, as per the map below.

A map of track closures at galada tamboore in marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands. The Merri Creek Trail to the west of galada tamboore is open to the public. The Eastern Track to the east is closed, from the Northern Bridge to the Southern bridge.

Related information

FAQs

Q. What is the Eastern Track?
A. The Eastern Track is a new section of track in marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parkland. It runs through the galada tamboore floodplain from the Northern Bridge down to the new Southern Bridge.

Q. Where is the Eastern Track located?
A. The Eastern Track is located in marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parkland on Wurundjeri Country, in Campbellfield. It runs through the galada tamboore floodplain, from the Northern Bridge down to the Southern Bridge.

Q. Why has the Eastern Track been built?
A. The Eastern Track has been built as part of a package of works being delivered by Parks Victoria, in response to recommendations outlined in the galada tamboore Master Plan 2009 and the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands Future Directions Plan 2023.

The galada tamboore floodplain is a site of geological and biodiversity significance that contains important riparian vegetation, grasslands and wildlife. The Eastern Track provides access for emergency and maintenance vehicles into this area of the park. Visitors can also use the track to respectfully explore and connect with this special area, while minimising impacts to plants and animals.

Q. How has the Eastern Track been funded?
A. The Eastern Track has been funded via $500,000 from the Victorian Government’s $315 million Suburban Parks Program, which is delivering 6,500 hectares of new and upgraded, accessible green space for Melbourne’s growing outer suburbs.

Q. What other works have been delivered by Parks Victoria in the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands?
A. Earlier works include the construction of a shared concrete pathway running from the Ned Kelly Bridge to the Northern Bridge, which completes a missing gap in the Merri Creek Shared Trail. A boundary fence was also built along the northern border of galada tamboore to manage visitor access and further protect native plants and animals living in the parklands. These works were completed by Parks Victoria from 2019 to 2023.

The Southern Bridge Crossing was built by Parks Victoria in 2023 to provide maintenance access across Merri Creek and reduce ongoing impacts on Growling Grass Frog habitat.

These early works were funded by $1.7 million from the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) fund.

Q. How can I find out more about the Eastern Track project?
A. Please email the project team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963.

Q. How can I find out more about the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands Future Directions Plan?
A. For more information about the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands Future Directions Plan 2023 please visit www.engage.vic.gov.au/marrambaba.