Next week's Rural Road Network Plan workshops have been cancelled due to Coronavirus.
Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) had scheduled seven events at rural locations across the municipality as part of the first round of consultation.
These included Natimuk, Kalkee, Pimpinio, Noradjuha, Taylors Lake, Telangatuk and Laharum.
However, based on advice from the Community Steering Committee, HRCC has cancelled the workshops and will instead consider other ways of capturing public opinion.
Director Infrastructure John Martin said Council would find other ways to determine how the municipality's rural people want to see rural roads enhanced in the future.
"While Coronavirus means we can no longer meet in one room to discuss people's ideas and concerns, Council is keen to keep this important project progressing and is now considering telephone and web-based solutions to collect information from the community," Mr Martin said.
"We understand that people's thoughts may be currently focused on Coronavirus so extra time will be provided for people to convey their thoughts.
"Council remains open for business and we want to carry on serving the community wherever we possibly can," he said.
The Community Steering Committee will meet next Wednesday to review the amended consultation plans and to guide Council on how to continue with the project.
The Rural Road Network Plan aims to:
- Identify freight connections in the municipality's rural areas
- Establish a priority farm machinery network, to facilitate the passage of agricultural implements with reduced potential for conflict with main traffic routes
- Enhance safety across the rural road network
- Identify economically-sustainable improvements to provide all weather access to key farming property locations
- Rationalise the road network where appropriate
- Develop an achievable service level and maintenance standards across Council's sealed and unsealed rural road network.
