Strategy identifies $10m path works

More than $10 million could be spent on missing paths and trails in Baw Baw Shire.

A draft paths and trails strategy released by council has identified almost 30 kilometres of missing paths and trails within its primary network and a further 21 kilometres in the secondary network.

Total cost to provide all the identified paths and trails would be $10.2 million.

Drouin was identified as the town needing the most works with nine kilometres of missing footpaths. The cost of works in Drouin alone would be $2.3 million.

A further $11 million worth of works has been identified for inter-town paths and trails with eight projects, totalling 49.4 kilometres.

The inter-town paths and rails identified in the strategy include paths from: Yarragon to Trafalgar; Erica to Rawson; Brandy Creek to Buln Buln; Darnum to Yarragon; Warragul to Rokeby; Drouin to Drouin West; Nilma to Darnum; and Drouin to Longwarry.

The draft plan is currently on exhibition for community feedback. Community members are encouraged to have their say about the plan and identified works by June 6.

The strategy said paths and trails played a significant role in community life, providing a means of access to community facilities, services, public transport and open spaces.

Development of a Paths and Trails Strategy is required to provide a plan on how council will invest in the construction of paths, trails and inter-town connections.

Previous community consultation has included public exhibition of the draft primary path network maps in February.

There were 31 submissions. Feedback included:

Labertouche residents requested horse-riding trails around Labertouche as well as a horse-riding facility;

Drouin residents were concerned about lack of pathways connecting to new developments and the gap between the cbd, schools, parkland and other amenities from these new developments; and,

Residents in Thorpdale, Trafalgar, Noojee and Narracan requested paths and trails for the purpose of recreation and tourism.

Cr Darren Wallace said footpaths were a responsibility of council and was an issue he constantly heard about from community members.

“When we do upgrade a link I am amazed at how quickly people use it. The difficult part is identifying which part to do next.

“Footpaths are an area of capital expenditure that we can make a real difference with,” he said.

Cr Michael Leaney said whether it was a small or large town, people liked to go out for a walk or cycle.

He said the strategy identified projects for major towns, minor towns, villages and tourist towns – “which means use is taken into account and it’s not about who has the biggest voice.”

Consultation closes at 5pm on Thursday. Once feedback has closed, council officers will consolidate comments and make recommendations to council.