Shire seeks funds for footpath links

IMPORTANT and safer pedestrian links will be created to connect activity centres in Torquay as well as in Anglesa if the Surf Coast Shire’s application for state government funding is successful.

At their December meeting, councillors resolved to submit expressions of interest towards securing more than $1 million in overall funding for three separate projects under the Department of Transport’s coming Safe Systems Pedestrian Investment Program.

After reviewing the criteria, officers recommended applying for three projects:

• $348,000 for the Fischer Street Pedestrian Link, from Zeally Bay Road to Merrijig Drive – Wombat crossings at high-risk intersections along the pathway on the eastern side of the road, connecting the Torquay North Shopping Centre to Taylor Park and Torquay’s front beach
• $376,000 for the Surf World to Torquay Town Centre Pedestrian Link from Beach Road to Bristol Road – wombat crossings and construction of missing shared path segments, connecting the Surf City Plaze and the Australian National Surfing Museum to Torquay’s central business district, and
• $360,000 Anglesea West Pedestrian Connection – missing footpath link on Noble Street and wombat crossings at high-risk intersections of Murray Street, River Reserve Road and Cameron Road, connecting Harvey Street at the edge of the Anglesea Health with the Cameron Road sports precinct.

According to the program’s criteria, projects must be worth between $250,000 and $1 million, and incorporate safe system treatments such as wombat crossings, raised intersection platforms and pedestrian-operated signals.

The shire would also contribute $116,000 of its own towards Fischer Street Pedestrian Link, but the programs would fully fund the works at the other two projects.

All three projects are part of the shire’s recently endorsed Safer Cycling Strategy or its 2012 Pathway Strategy, or both.

Officers stated in their report to councillors that the Safe Systems Pedestrian Investment Program “provided a rare opportunity to secure external funding for pedestrian improvements across the Surf Coast Shire network”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Rose Hodge said the state government was earmarking $23 million for projects across the state under the Safe Systems Pedestrian Investment Program.

“Now when you look at the three that are being recommended, foot traffic is very high in all those areas.

“We do have money in our budget towards footpaths, but we’d have to add another $116,000 to it to make sure that these three can be looked at.

“But in the long run, if we are successful, the savings would be probably nearly a million dollars, if not more.

“I look forward to those missing links in those areas and also we’d also endorse the Safer Cycling Strategy on this one as well, so it’s sort of a double success hopefully if these three are accepted.”