There are varying degrees of connectivity provided to/from town centres, residential areas, community facilities, open space, other key destinations and public transport facilities depending on where you live. Existing walking and cycling networks are not well integrated in terms of providing opportunities for loop trails for recreational and exercise usage. Participants generally have a preference for loop trails wherever possible. Use of shared trails by cyclists travelling at high speed can cause conflict and safety concerns for other users, particularly elderly walkers. Shared trails in the vicinity of dog off-lead areas can cause safety issues for cyclists and dogs. Public open space corridors are popular destinations for walking and cycling. There may be opportunities to enhance the shire's use of creeks and natural waterways to support walking and cycling activity. Directions: Continually develop the primary pedestrian routes in each main township. Funding primarily from the existing foot path program. Continue the staged implementation of the Shire-wide Footpath Plan. Council resource allocation should concentrate on initiatives to improve the primary networks identified in the attached maps for each town. The key priorities are identified on the maps for each township, and are itemised in the attached Implementation Plan. Progressively implement the shared trail along the Campaspe River in Kyneton as identified by the Open Space Strategy. Scope possible infrastructure requirements in order to meet contemporary shared path standards and guidelines. Implement a program of signage, stencilling and line marking (where appropriate) to improve user safety, awareness and etiquette for shared trail users (refer to signage examples below). Surf Coast Walk (Great Ocean Road Coast Committee) signage encouraging courteous shared trail behaviour. Ensure that designated dog off-lead areas are not located close to shared trails. Future public open space acquisition and development to incorporate adequate provision for shared trail infrastructure within natural creek, river and waterway corridors, including connections to existing trail networks and residential areas. Tourism Trails Issues & Opportunities: Council participated in the Crossing Borders Tracks and Trails (2013) project, which was a joint initiative between Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire, Central Goldfields Shire, City of Ballarat and State Government to investigate actions required to develop four iconic trail experiences in the region. One of the four projects was the Daylesford to Macedon Ranges Rail Trail The report identified a number of social, recreational and economic benefits of each
8 Ongoing 17 Cycling Continue to advocate to VicRoads for regular maintenance of road verges along the designated Principal Bike Network including repair of pot holes, crumbling edges and cleaning debris. Infrastructure and Projects Include as an agenda item on regular meetings with VicRoads. Forward any complaints or identified issues to VicRoads. 9 Ongoing 25 Walking and cycling Encourage local walking and cycling clubs / groups to add their events and activities to Council’s calendar and community directory on the Council website. Recreation and Sport Promotion of Council's website. Details to complete registration are listed on the website. Where relevant (e.g. events with tourism potential) list on visitmacedonranges.com website. 10 High 2 Walking and cycling Revise Council standard engineering drawings and documents to include a standard detail for bitumen sealed off-road trail, that offers the best compromise between installation cost and ongoing maintenance requirements. Infrastructure and Projects 11 High 15 Walking and cycling Adopt the guidelines contained in the 'Standards' chapter relating to non-path infrastructure to guide future resource allocation. Infrastructure and Projects Utilise the guidelines to direct new support infrastructure provision. 12 High 22 Walking and cycling Continue to encourage walking and cycling groups to apply for funding within Council's Community Grants Program, and/or external funding opportunities, that directly target the support of community driven initiatives that facilitate participation opportunities for walking and cycling. Recreation and Sport Direct promotion of opportunities to known walking and cycling clubs and groups. 13 Medium 12 Walking and cycling Ensure that designated dog off-lead areas are not located close to shared trails. Community Safety Take into account should any proposal be under consideration. 14 Medium 26 Walking and cycling Support existing and explore opportunities to attract additional walking and cycling events in the shire (this could consider road cycling and/or mountain biking). Council's support of walking and cycling events will be guided by an objective to increase awareness of walking and cycling opportunities and encourage increased local participation. Tourism and Economic Development
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: PRIORITY ACTIONS LEAD RESPONSIBILITY: Council Note: Not in priority order. To be pursued concurrently. Ref # # Location Mode Action Lead Council Department Capital or Operating Indicative cost Possible External Funding Source Council contribution 1 14 Woodend Walking and cycling Woodend to Hanging Rock Shared trail - Complete the feasibility study to confirm the proposed route and concept. Recreation and Sport Capital $25,000 $25,000 2 6 Shire wide Walking Continually develop the primary pedestrian routes in each main township. Funding primarily from the existing foot path program. Infrastructure and Projects Capital Per project Foot path program Council may consider allocating additional funding 3 5 Shire wide Cycling Consider in all road works projects whether the road is on the Preferred Cycling Network and include improvements for cycling in any major upgrades. Infrastructure and Projects Capital Per project Part of road construction program 4 9 Kyneton Walking and cycling Progressively implement the shared trail along the Campaspe River in Kyneton as identified by the Open Space Strategy. Recreation and Sport Capital Per stage - allowance $50,000 every 2 years $50,000 Sport and Rec Vic $250 000 (over 10 years) 5 14 Gisborne - Riddells Creek Walking and cycling Gisborne to Riddells Creek off-road shared trail - Undertake a feasibility study to confirm the proposed route, concept and costs. Recreation and Sport Capital $25,000 $25,000 6 21 Shire wide Cycling Continue to work with relevant community groups and stakeholders (e.g. VicRoads, Bicycle Network Victoria, Cycling Victoria and Bike Safe Macedon Ranges) to resource and deliver multi-pronged bike safety campaigns (primarily on-road signage). Infrastructure and Projects Operating Allowance: $25,000 x 3 years To be determined To be determined $75,000 7 10 Shire wide Walking and cycling Scope possible infrastructure requirements in order to meet contemporary shared path standards and guidelines. For example, completing gaps in the network, signage etc. Infrastructure and Projects Capital Allowance: $50,000 x 5 years To be determined State Govt - Sport and Rec Vic, Regional Development Vic $250 000 (over 5 years) 8 14 Woodend Walking and cycling Woodend to Hanging Rock Shared trail - Construction (indicative cost estimate only). Recreation and Sport Capital $3,000,000 $2,500,000 State Govt. $500,000
19 Medium Ri-P-2 Riddells Creek Walking Racecourse Lane, and Sutherlands Road to Racecourse Lane. Infrastructure and Projects Capital $288,000 N/A N/A $288,000 20 Medium G-P-2 Gisborne Walking Willowbank Road between Brady Road and Bloomfield Road. Infrastructure and Projects Capital $37,500 N/A N/A $37,500 21 Medium NG-P-2 New Gisborne Walking Link between Octagonal Court and train station running along east and north-east periphery of Gisborne Racecourse Marshlands Reserve, north to train line, and along south side of train line to station. Infrastructure and Projects Capital $279,000 N/A N/A $279,000 22 Medium NG-P-3 New Gisborne Walking Link between train station and school on Hamilton Road. Infrastructure and Projects Capital $75,000 N/A N/A $75,000 23 Low 27 Shire wide Cycling Work with Bicycle Network Victoria, local trader associations and other relevant stakeholders to scope and establish a Bike Friendly Business Program for the shire. The scope of the program may be initially quite modest and increase in sophistication over a period of years i.e. progressive, staged development. Tourism and Economic Development Operating To be determined To be determined Bicycle Network Victoria Business Traders Associations $40,000 24 Low K-P-3 Kyneton Walking Provide path along south side of Campaspe River east of Mollison Street. Infrastructure and Projects Capital $354,000 To be determined Catchment Management Authority $354,000 25 Low 15 Gisborne - Riddells Creek Walking and cycling Gisborne to Riddells Creek off-road shared trail - indicative construction cost estimate (to be confirmed). Recreation and Sport Capital $3,000,000 $2,000,000 State Government $1,000,000 26 Low 14 Woodend Walking and cycling Daylesford to Macedon Ranges Rail Trail - indicative construction cost estimate (MRSC component). Recreation and Sport Capital $1,800,000 $1,000,000 State Government $800,000 27 Low 18 Shire wide Cycling Once established, identify sections of the Principal Bike Network that are most suitable for staging cycling events, consider advisory signage as required (i.e. permanent signs that could allow use when events are being conducted). Recreation and Sport Operating To be determined To be determined VicRoads $30,000
Review of Strategy Overall recommendations should be reviewed annually, as part of the annual budget process to ensure short-term recommendations remain relevant and achievable. A more comprehensive review of the strategy should be undertaken after five years to assess the overall status of implementation, ongoing relevance of recommendations, changes in priorities and to identify new initiatives or opportunities. A critical component of evaluation is monitoring changes in behaviour over an extended period of time. There is a lack of empirical data regarding levels of use of specific paths, tracks and trails, however collection of usage data via counters, monitoring or survey measures are problematic in terms of resource requirements and external influences (e.g. weather, time of day, time of year etc). Participation data can be used to identify increases in participation rates of walking and cycling over time. Other opportunities to collect and record usage data, satisfaction and economic impacts should also be considered, this may include club membership trends, number and attendance at specified events, evaluation of the economic impact of significant walking or cycling events and tourism trails (once established). Conclusion The Walking and Cycling Strategy has been developed having regard to a range of existing Council planning documents that influence preferred directions including (but not limited to) the previous Bike Strategy (2002), Leisure Strategy (2006), Shire-wide Footpath Plan (2013), Open Space Strategy (2013) and individual Community Plans (various dates) to name a few. This strategy responds to the high value placed on walking and cycling opportunities by the community by providing clear priorities and guidelines for future action. The range of social, recreational, health, economic and environmental benefits of walking and cycling are acknowledged. Creating walking and cycle friendly environments within the shire is seen as critical to achieving Council's stated vision. Establishing realistic and achievable recommendations having regard to the resource capacity of the shire and key stakeholders has been a key focus of the strategy. Priorities have considered opportunities to achieve effective results within this framework and hence a combination of capital initiatives are supported by recommendations targeting behaviour change, community safety and awareness, facilitating participation opportunities and improved coordination of resources.