The Borough of Queenscliffe has opened consultation for its first Active Transport Strategy this week and has called on residents and visitors to share their ideas and help shape the plan.
The Active Transport Strategy will guide the council’s investment in walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure, with the aim of encouraging residents to choose active transport as they make their way around the Borough.
Mayor Ross Ebbels said the Active Transport Strategy would have a range of benefits for the whole community.
“Active transport is great for our health, better for our environment, and accessible for our youngest and oldest residents,” Cr Ebbels said.
“Developing an Active Transport Strategy will allow us to better invest in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and make it safer and easier to get around the borough.”
The development of the strategy comes on the back of a range of investments by council in pedestrian safety upgrades.
In the past six months, the borough has installed or supported new pedestrian crossings in the main shopping streets of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, as well as near popular beaches, parks and walking routes.
Cr Ebbels said an Active Transport Strategy will help link individual upgrades together, creating more continuous and accessible footpaths and cycling routes.
“Gaps in our pedestrian and cycling networks, like busy roads without crossings or footpaths that suddenly end, make it harder to get around safely and easily,” Cr Ebbels said.
“Assessing the active transport needs of the whole borough under a single strategy will make it easier for council to identify and fix these gaps, creating continuous networks that are more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.”
While the council has engaged a transport specialist to manage the strategy’s development, community input will be vital to identifying where investment is needed most and understanding the barriers residents faced in choosing active transport.
The council is encouraging residents and visitors to share their ideas by taking part in an online survey or an interactive webinar.
The survey is available at queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/active, with consultation closing on February 20.
“Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure are some of our most popular council projects,” Cr Ebbels said.
“Taking part in this consultation is quick, easy and will help guide council’s investment for a long time.
“I’d encourage everyone in our community to share their thoughts with us.”
