The City of Ballarat is developing a Footpath Construction Strategy to guide how we prioritise and fund where new footpaths are built.
Footpaths are important to our community and play a vital role in keeping you active, safe and connected to others and to community facilities, services, public transport and open spaces.
Once completed, the Footpath Construction Strategy will outline a framework that prioritises where new footpaths are needed most, where sealing of existing unsealed footpaths should take place and identifying missing links in our footpath network.
The City of Ballarat has 844 kilometres of existing footpaths. There are about 600 kilometres of missing footpaths in the municipality which is estimated would cost about $100 million to construct.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said with an annual budget of about $900,000 for the construction of new footpaths, we need to prioritise which footpaths are built.
"Footpaths are important to everyone however with limited funds, we need to prioritise where new footpaths are built," he said.
"We encourage you to provide your feedback about how you use local footpaths and what new footpath links are important to you.
"Join the conversation and help shape where and when we build new footpaths. You can also mark on an interactive map where you think new footpaths should be constructed."
Feedback from the community will help inform the Draft Footpath Construction Strategy. The community will be invited to provide feedback on the Draft Strategy through a second phase of community consultation.
All feedback will be considered in the development of the final Footpath Construction Strategy, which will then be presented to Council for consideration.
Residents can provide feedback on the construction of new footpaths until 5pm, Sunday 3 March via mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/footpath-strategy.
There will also be two community pop-up sessions where you can share your feedback with the City of Ballarat team in person on Saturday 10 February at:
- Ballarat Farmers Market, Zoo Drive, Lake Wendouree, from 9am-12pm and
- Skate Park Leagues Competition, Ballarat Skate Park, Main Road and Barkly Street, from 2-4pm.
You can also pick up a printed copy of the survey throughout February at City of Ballarat sites, including Customer Service and Ballarat Libraries.
The City of Ballarat's 2023-2024 footpath construction program will build 13 footpaths, including a footpath of approximately 220 metres in Raglan Street (Miners Rest), extending from Sharpes Road to near Howe Street. This footpath will provide greater access to a nearby early learning centre and a public bus stop.
As always, the City of Ballarat welcomes community feedback regarding the municipality's existing footpaths. Download the Snap Send Solve app to quickly report any footpath problems to us anytime.
