The Government of Victoria, Australia, has plans to build a new link to the Darebin-Yarra Trail to improve the safety of cyclists and walkers in Melbourne’s Alphington region.

Victoria Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said that the Farm Road Link, which is a local extension of the Darebin Trail, will be constructed as part of A$18m ($13.5m) Darebin Trail Link.

Donnellan said: “This is great news for locals, encouraging more people to get out and about on foot and on their bikes and make the most of these unique and diverse trails.

“We’ll be talking to locals every step of the way as we develop plans for the link to make sure it meets the community’s needs.”

“We’ll be talking to locals every step of the way as we develop plans for the link to make sure it meets the community’s needs.”

The government anticipates that the new link will provide access to more than 600km of off-road trails, as well as create new connections to key trails including the Main Yarra Trail, Anniversary Trail and Capital City Trail.

The local link will connect at the mid-way along the last 1.8km section of the Darebin Trail, which is currently under construction.

The new path will also create a safer off-road option to commute to the city and other centres.

VicRoads is the road and traffic authority in the state of Victoria and will conduct a feasibility study, as well as geotechnical investigations.