Provide feedback on pathway contributions policy

Council is asking the community for feedback on a draft policy that aims to guide how and when council may seek contributions from property owners toward the construction of public pathways along their property frontage.

The Pathway Construction - Contributions by Property Owners policy is on public exhibition until Wednesday 21 August 2013.

The Roads Act 1993 allows NSW councils to seek contribution from the owners of land adjoining a public road for half of the costs of providing a pathway, says Eurobodalla Mayor, Lindsay Brown.

He says a lack of infrastructure planning by developers in the 60s, 70s and 80s means that the Eurobodalla has a large number of urban streets without footpaths or shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Council has developed a Shared Pathways Strategy to address this network deficiency and we have a strong track record of working with our communities and successfully applying for grant funding from the NSW government," said Cr Brown.

"However, funding the cost of the pathways infrastructure is beyond the capacity of council and the general community," said Cr Brown.

In new subdivisions and developments above a single residence, developers are required to provide pathways at their full cost. The current and new draft policy requires that properties with higher development potential pay a share of the cost of providing pathways along their frontage.

The Mayor says the draft policy reflects the policy that has been in place for a number of years and has financial implications for private property owners and he is encouraging residents to provide feedback during the exhibition period.

According to the draft policy, council will write to affected landowners offering them the option of paying their contribution over a period of up to two years to help reduce the financial impact.

There are a number of ways to give feedback on the Pathway Construction - Contributions by Property Owners policy. You canmake a submission via email to [email protected]; use the feedback form on council's website, www.esc.nsw.gov.au or write a letter addressed to the General Manager at Eurobodalla Shire Council, PO Box 99 Moruya NSW 2537.

The exhibition closes on 21 August 2013 but council will accept submissions for an additional 14 days.