Bid to boost trail network

GEELONG council is calling for community input on how to improve its trails network, as part of a push to see half of all city workers ditching cars.

The council has launched a public engagement process to help shape its shared trails masterplan, with the aim of increasing the number of cycling and walking trips through Geelong’s trails network.

The push comes through council’s Clever and Creative Vision, identifying a community desire to make travel between suburbs easier through a network of pedestrian and cycling paths.

The council vision also outlines a goal of seeing half of all journeys to work made by public transport, walking or cycling.

“If we can attract more people in our region to cycle, we’ll improve the health of our community, reduce congestion on the roads and improve the environment,” Mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“To do this we need quality on and off-road cycling connections right across the region — around the Bellarine, throughout Geelong, and into northern areas such as Lara and the You Yangs.

“Now we want the community’s help to identify the gaps as we develop this master plan that will guide our future planning.”

The council will host a series of pop-up sessions from July 13 to August 22 for ratepayers to have their say on how the city’s trail network would be best improved.

The community can also take part in the process online through an interactive map, available at geelongaustralia. com.au/yoursay