Getting around getting easier

Creating an integrated network of pathways is the aim of a community advisory committee working with Eurobodalla Council to update the shire’s pathways strategy, and today councillors voted to endorse their draft plan and to ask the community for feedback.

Council formed the Pathways Strategy Advisory Committee with members of the community to help revise their current strategy. Chaired by Councillor Danielle Brice, it includes representatives from across Eurobodalla – Mayor Lindsay Brown, Edward Proudfoot, Vicki Jones, Elaine Heskett and Brad Rossiter - with a range of interests including walking, cycling and disability access issues.

Now that a draft update of the strategy has been prepared, the committee is seeking input from the broader community on the proposals included in the strategy and to confirm what is needed in the way of footpaths and shared paths across the shire.

Councillor Brice, who will stay on the committee as a community representative after the local government elections, says the strategy identifies what projects Council should be doing in the future to integrate walking, cycling and public transport and to allow the community to get around safely.

“Council is committed to spending $3.5 million over the next ten years on paths and this strategy, which identifies pathways worth around $11.8 million, will help Council continue to attract funding from Government,” she said.

“Fewer than one in four of Eurobodalla’s urban roads has a pathway beside it. A strategic approach is needed to address this deficiency and identify and prioritise the footpaths and shared pathways Council would like to provide for the community in the future.

“The draft Eurobodalla Pathways Strategy 2016 includes a point score system to assist in prioritising works and I urge the community to participate and let Council know what they want.”

Clr Brice said the strategy also acknowledges what has already achieved. “Working closely with the community, Council has provided a significant number of excellent recreation and transport outcomes over recent years. These include connecting routes like the Dalmeny-Narooma shared path, or paths that allow the community to exercise while enjoying our beautiful coastline such as the Tuross shared path, and paths that provide a safe walking and cycling connection to our town centres such as the paths from Surfside to Batemans Bay and from south Moruya to the high school.”

The draft Pathways Strategy will be available for review from 15 August until 24 September and there is also a survey to help Council understand the community’s current usage and future needs. The strategy and the survey are available at Council libraries, the Moruya Administration Office and the On Exhibition page of Council’s website.

Council staff will be available to answer questions and discuss the draft strategy at the following pop-up kiosks: