Ridgewalk Masterplan

Urban Initiatives, in association with Arterial Design, was engaged by the Shire of Yarra Ranges to prepare a Masterplan for RidgeWalk, a 40km walking track showcasing history and culture within the Dandenong Ranges. It celebrates the contribution of local artists compelled to capture the particular beauty of the landscape, with the trail’s location designed to guide visitors through the context of these artists’ work, both within the landscape and wider historical movements. Opportunities for new artistic interventions which respond to the landscape are created also.

Working principally within an existing, informal trail network to minimise environmental impacts, 40km of journey was strategically aligned to consolidate missing links and connections between village communities, and provides visitors – both local and international, and of all abilities and fitness levels – with access to the inspiring landscape and cultural experience.

Economic modelling forecasts that in the first year of its opening, the trail will create 130 local jobs and attract 140,000 new visitors (local and International) to the area. It is anticipated that the local economy will benefit from an annual revenue of $21.8M in the first year, increasing in subsequent years.

Local Wurundjeri collaboration was instrumental in the project’s development and will be ongoing through its implementation phases.