Path network charge scheme on hold

A SPECIAL rates and charges scheme for the $6.5 million Ocean Grove Principal Pedestrian Network is on hold following a council vote to defer making a decision on the proposal.

Moving the motion to defer at last week’s council meeting, acting Mayor Trent Sullivan said the council acknowledged the need and want for safe walking paths in the community “but the funding model for the SRC has caused considerable tensions within the community and this council group”.

Without further discussion, nine of the ten councillors at the meeting supported deferring the item, Cr Jim Mason voted against the motion, and Mayor Cr Stephanie Asher was on leave.

The project concept dates back seven years when the Ocean Grove Town Centre Urban Design Framework, adopted by the council in 2014, recommended that a Principal Pedestrian Network be developed to create a network of paths connecting activity centres, sport facilities and schools.

Following extensive community engagement, Council decided in March this year to start a formal consultation process with the community, indicating it intended to declare a special rates and charge scheme which would involve residents who benefitted from the new paths sharing the cost of the project.

The scheme proposal was advertised with a public notice, letters were sent to each benefiting property owner, an online information portal was created, with formal community engagement in April.

Of the 298 submissions received, 11 property owners or their representatives presented their views to a submissions hearing panel in July.

In response to feedback from submissions, the proposed total footpath network estimated costs were reduced while still building 24.3 kilometres of new footpaths and shared paths.

The proposal on the September meeting agenda, which council hasn’t formally considered, was for the City to pay 54 percent of the total cost of $6,063,945.98, and remaining cost to be shared by property owners.

The maximum special charge to benefitting properties was recommended to be set at $476.95 for a period of five years, commencing at the start of construction.

The Ocean Grove Principal Pedestrian Network is expected to be back on the council agenda at an upcoming meeting.