Shared user pathways

We welcome applications from councils to build and maintain shared user pathways on VicTrack land.

Applications will be assessed against our policy principles and guidelines. If approved a lease is issued to allow installation and ongoing maintenance of the pathway.

This guideline explains how to apply, what our process is and what the application considerations are.

How to apply

You can apply to build or maintain shared user pathways in four easy steps. Read more about the steps in the application process below.

We welcome applications from councils to build and maintain shared user pathways on VicTrack land.

Applications will be assessed against our policy principles and guidelines. If approved a lease is issued to allow installation and ongoing maintenance of the pathway.

This guideline explains how to apply, what our process is and what the application considerations are.

How to apply

You can apply to build or maintain shared user pathways in four easy steps. Read more about the steps in the application process below.

Step 1: Read important information first
Restrictions

We only consider applications to build or maintain shared user pathways from local councils.

Understanding roles

Our role in the approval process is as landowner.

If your application relates to unused land then it can be leased or licenced directly from us.

However, sometimes land is used for transport operations. We lease land and infrastructure to the Department of Transport and Planning who sub-lease it to private transport operators (franchisees) e.g. Metro Trains.

That's why we often have to consult the transport operators about shared user pathways.

Policy principles

Shared user pathway applications are assessed against our policy principles and guidelines.

In summary, the policy principles are:
- Shared user pathways must be located a safe distance from operational rail corridors.
- Shared user pathways must be in a location that does not interfere with access to key infrastructure necessary for the safe operation of public transport.
- The design must meet VicTrack and the franchisee’s standards to ensure public safety.
- The design may be required to go through a risk assessment with representatives from VicTrack and the franchisee’s (note: this may incur a cost).
- Design must be approved by VicTrack and the franchisees before works commence.
Council responsibilities
- A shared user pathway must not fall into disrepair or become a public safety problem. If a shared user pathway becomes an imminent risk or council is negligent in the maintenance of the pathway, the pathway will be removed at the council's expense.
- Council will be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the pathway and associated licenced land. This includes but is not limited to removal of graffiti, litter, and weeds; vegetation management; and keeping the area tidy and safe for public access.
Our process

Following an internal review, your application will be referred to the Department of Transport and Planning and the relevant franchisee to seek land clearance, a licence term and determine any requirements to confirm if the land is available for use.

This process can take 3-6 months.

During the review and clearance process the applicant may be required to submit additional information to ensure both VicTrack and the relevant Franchisee’s requirements are met.

If approved a licence is issued to allow installation and ongoing maintenance of the pathway.
Restrictions

We only consider applications to build or maintain shared user pathways from local councils.

Understanding roles

Our role in the approval process is as landowner.

If your application relates to unused land then it can be leased or licenced directly from us.

However, sometimes land is used for transport operations. We lease land and infrastructure to the Department of Transport and Planning who sub-lease it to private transport operators (franchisees) e.g. Metro Trains.

That's why we often have to consult the transport operators about shared user pathways.

Policy principles

Shared user pathway applications are assessed against our policy principles and guidelines.

In summary, the policy principles are:
- Shared user pathways must be located a safe distance from operational rail corridors.
- Shared user pathways must be in a location that does not interfere with access to key infrastructure necessary for the safe operation of public transport.
- The design must meet VicTrack and the franchisee’s standards to ensure public safety.
- The design may be required to go through a risk assessment with representatives from VicTrack and the franchisee’s (note: this may incur a cost).
- Design must be approved by VicTrack and the franchisees before works commence.
Council responsibilities
- A shared user pathway must not fall into disrepair or become a public safety problem. If a shared user pathway becomes an imminent risk or council is negligent in the maintenance of the pathway, the pathway will be removed at the council's expense.
- Council will be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the pathway and associated licenced land. This includes but is not limited to removal of graffiti, litter, and weeds; vegetation management; and keeping the area tidy and safe for public access.
Our process

Following an internal review, your application will be referred to the Department of Transport and Planning and the relevant franchisee to seek land clearance, a licence term and determine any requirements to confirm if the land is available for use.

This process can take 3-6 months.

During the review and clearance process the applicant may be required to submit additional information to ensure both VicTrack and the relevant Franchisee’s requirements are met.

If approved a licence is issued to allow installation and ongoing maintenance of the pathway.
Step 2: Apply online

Apply online
Step 3: Prepare your documentation
Your application must be supported by documentation that outlines your plans. We require plans, design drawings and supplementary documentation.

Plans
- A set of plans showing the alignment of the shared user pathway.
- The plans should address the policy principles and council responsibilities stated in step 1 above.
- The plans should be colour concept plans that clearly identify:
- VicTrack property boundaries (read how to do this in the resources section below) the extent of pathway on VicTrack property (including width and type of path – e.g. concrete, asphalt, gravel etc. if known at the time of the application)
- offsets from nearest rail or tram track
- any major constraints, such as under bridge crossings, clearances, drainage, infrastructure and vegetation
- existing utility and other services including railway communications and signal cabling.
Design drawings

In preparing your design drawing the following criteria must be taken into consideration:
- Avoid disturbance of and protect significant flora and fauna and native vegetation.
- Avoid disturbance of and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage values and heritage (including Aboriginal and archaeological or built heritage) sites.
- Appropriate interface with commuter car parks.
- Access for inspection and maintenance of railway infrastructure including track, signalling and drainage infrastructure.
- Pathways cannot cross the railway tracks unless there is an existing crossing point (i.e. roadway or pedestrian crossing).
- DDA compliance
- Fencing on the trackside:
- The type of fencing will be determined by the franchisee.
- Fencing shall not encroach within 3.0 metres of the track.
- In high risk areas 1.8 metre-high chain wire fencing may be required to reduce safety risks and prevent trespasser access and shall extend 30m beyond trespass point.
- At a bridge a standard trespassing fence (non climbable 1.5m high) must be erected on both sides of railway lines at the toe of the embankment that extends from the bridge walls either side of the shared pathway for a distance of at least 30 metres.
- Extent of proposed landscaping. Landscaping will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
- Appropriate signage for wayfinding and safety.
- Show all services and utilities in the vicinity of the shared user pathway and their clearance from the pathway. Relocation of any services must be in accordance with relevant asset owner requirements and at the applicant cost.
- May be required to go through a risk assessment with representatives from VicTrack and the franchisees, which may incur a cost.
- Constructability of the shared user pathway. For example, if excavations are proposed in close proximity to a railway bridge, the applicant will be required to undertake a structural engineering review by a suitably qualified engineer to ascertain whether or not there will be any impact to the bridge.
- Consider how any required soil excavation will be undertaken, including the handling and disposal of surplus soil generated from the construction works.
The design must comply with all laws, including those relevant to safety, environment and heritage. Council will be responsible for obtaining all required permits and approvals for the shared user pathway under local, state and federal legislation.

Supplementary documentation
- Photographs, if available, along the proposed route of the pathway and of any of the above constraints
- An engineer’s report, if available, confirming the structural integrity of the installation
- Relevant environment and heritage reports, including when vegetation removal is required
During the review and clearance process the applicant may be required to submit additional information to ensure both VicTrack and the relevant franchisee’s requirements are met.

Resources to help with your documentation

RailMap is an online resource provided by VicTrack. It displays property and lease boundaries, buildings and platforms, third party utilities, tracks and bridges, title references and aerial imagery. RailMap is a useful resource for transport operators, local councils, government departments and utility companies.

Apply for access to RailMap
Log on to RailMap
Read more about RailMap
Your application must be supported by documentation that outlines your plans. We require plans, design drawings and supplementary documentation.

Plans
- A set of plans showing the alignment of the shared user pathway.
- The plans should address the policy principles and council responsibilities stated in step 1 above.
- The plans should be colour concept plans that clearly identify:
- VicTrack property boundaries (read how to do this in the resources section below) the extent of pathway on VicTrack property (including width and type of path – e.g. concrete, asphalt, gravel etc. if known at the time of the application)
- offsets from nearest rail or tram track
- any major constraints, such as under bridge crossings, clearances, drainage, infrastructure and vegetation
- existing utility and other services including railway communications and signal cabling.
Design drawings

In preparing your design drawing the following criteria must be taken into consideration:
- Avoid disturbance of and protect significant flora and fauna and native vegetation.
- Avoid disturbance of and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage values and heritage (including Aboriginal and archaeological or built heritage) sites.
- Appropriate interface with commuter car parks.
- Access for inspection and maintenance of railway infrastructure including track, signalling and drainage infrastructure.
- Pathways cannot cross the railway tracks unless there is an existing crossing point (i.e. roadway or pedestrian crossing).
- DDA compliance
- Fencing on the trackside:
- The type of fencing will be determined by the franchisee.
- Fencing shall not encroach within 3.0 metres of the track.
- In high risk areas 1.8 metre-high chain wire fencing may be required to reduce safety risks and prevent trespasser access and shall extend 30m beyond trespass point.
- At a bridge a standard trespassing fence (non climbable 1.5m high) must be erected on both sides of railway lines at the toe of the embankment that extends from the bridge walls either side of the shared pathway for a distance of at least 30 metres.
- Extent of proposed landscaping. Landscaping will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
- Appropriate signage for wayfinding and safety.
- Show all services and utilities in the vicinity of the shared user pathway and their clearance from the pathway. Relocation of any services must be in accordance with relevant asset owner requirements and at the applicant cost.
- May be required to go through a risk assessment with representatives from VicTrack and the franchisees, which may incur a cost.
- Constructability of the shared user pathway. For example, if excavations are proposed in close proximity to a railway bridge, the applicant will be required to undertake a structural engineering review by a suitably qualified engineer to ascertain whether or not there will be any impact to the bridge.
- Consider how any required soil excavation will be undertaken, including the handling and disposal of surplus soil generated from the construction works.
The design must comply with all laws, including those relevant to safety, environment and heritage. Council will be responsible for obtaining all required permits and approvals for the shared user pathway under local, state and federal legislation.

Supplementary documentation
- Photographs, if available, along the proposed route of the pathway and of any of the above constraints
- An engineer’s report, if available, confirming the structural integrity of the installation
- Relevant environment and heritage reports, including when vegetation removal is required
During the review and clearance process the applicant may be required to submit additional information to ensure both VicTrack and the relevant franchisee’s requirements are met.

Resources to help with your documentation

RailMap is an online resource provided by VicTrack. It displays property and lease boundaries, buildings and platforms, third party utilities, tracks and bridges, title references and aerial imagery. RailMap is a useful resource for transport operators, local councils, government departments and utility companies.

Apply for access to RailMap
Log on to RailMap
Read more about RailMap

Our role

We are a state-owned organisation with an independent Board. We are the owners of Victoria’s transport assets, and work alongside

Most of our railway land, assets and buildings are leased to the public transport operators, and they are responsible for maintaining the assets leased to them.