The dangers as a pedestrian in Griffith city centre is well-acknowledged, but now a $33 million long-term strategy is in the works.
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Griffith City Council’s proposed pedestrian and bicycle network aims to alleviate congestion along main roads in the city where attractions like restaurants and hotels are luring the greatest numbers; and form safer routes for the vulnerable such as children, the elderly, and the disabled to create a more cohesive and structurally-sound network and environment for residents, patrons, and cyclists alike.
Director of Infrastructure and Operations Phil King spoke about the new strategy and what it will mean for Griffith.
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“The Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategy will assist land use and planning, as well as act as a valuable source of information for funding opportunities,” Mr King said.
Council recognises that Griffith currently has a poor pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in the CBD.
The strategy will see pedestrian and bicycle pathways created or updated in the Griffith CBD, Lake Wyangan, Hanwood, Yenda, Beelbangera, Yoogali, Bibul, and Tharbogang.
However, with a proposed expenditure of $33 million, one might have difficulty imagining where the funding is to come from.
Mr King said Council has an annual budget allocation and that Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is “very proactive in setting aside money for active transport.”
“It’s a bucket of money for the entire state.”
He said if Council does not meet the RMS standards to ensure funding, they will “seek funding where possible to deliver the best outcomes for the community, one example of which is the recent funding acquired from the State Government to carry out the works on the Hanwood to Griffith shared pathway.”
Mr King said the pedestrian and cycle program is “basically every single pathway you could ever want in Griffith.”
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategy network plan is available for view online.