More than 270 submissions to a council consultation process supported reopening the road, prompting the council to say the Alphington public was on its side in the dispute.
The council says it will soon start on plans for a safe path to the trail from the end of the disputed road, and work is already under way on a pedestrian crossing, next to where the gates stood, for students moving about the campus, which straddles Old Heidelberg Road.
The expected cost to ratepayers is about $400,000, including the demolition.
Yarra Mayor Steven Jolly said on Tuesday that the council would ultimately make access to the Darebin Creek Trail through the grounds safe for cyclists, walkers and joggers.
“This has been a long-term problem between the council and community on the one hand and the school on the other, but it’s over now,” Jolly said.
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“So it’d be great to work together to try and deal with the new reality.”
But school principal Vivianne Nikou does not believe the matter is closed.
Nikou wrote to parents last week expressing her “great disappointment” at the impending demolition.
“I must inform you we have been unsuccessful in stopping the City of Yarra from removing the child protection gate on Old Heidelberg Road,” she wrote.
“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.”
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