Yarra City Council has demolished a wall and gate at Alphington Grammar School, ending what it calls a long-running dispute over public access to Old Heidelberg Road. However, Principal Vivianne Nikou insists the matter is not over.
The council acted during the school holidays to remove the barrier, which had blocked access to the Darebin Creek Trail since 2019.
Citing student safety, the school fenced off the disused road, but the move angered locals who argued it cut them off from the $18 million trail.
Council consultation drew more than 270 submissions supporting reopening the road, and work has already begun on a new pedestrian crossing and plans for a safe path to the creek.
The project is expected to cost ratepayers about $400,000.
Mayor Stephen Jolly said the issue was “over now” and urged the school to accept the “new reality.”
But Nikou told parents last week she remained “greatly disappointed” by the demolition and stressed the school would not walk away.
“Whilst it appears we have lost this battle, we are still pursuing other options to secure our right to control this defunct piece of road, useful only to the school,” she wrote.
Source: The Age.
