By Corey Everitt
A council candidate has called for more attention to be put toward the safety of local walkers and cyclists, promising to campaign for a review of Cardinia’s footpaths and bike paths if elected.
Henty Ward candidate Liz Roberts has said Cardinia Shire Council’s strategy around active transport ‘desperately needs a review’.
The Cardinia Shire Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategy was instituted seven years ago and Roberts has pledged to campaign for an update.
“In Henty Ward so many people rely on walking as their transport – to get to the train, to get to the shops and to walk to kindergarten or school,” she said.
“Walking and cycling are the forms of transport many people use if they don’t have access to a car or a bus stop nearby or if they simply live a short distance from services. They need to be given the respect they deserve.
“When elected as Henty Ward councillor I’ll be pushing for this to happen.”
This was raised only a month after the council announced a pause to Main Street’s long-awaited revamp which would have seen an update to its many paths and crossings.
Safety concerns have existed for locals who regularly traverse the centre of town, Roberts said this would be an opportunity to address them while the revamp is on hold.
“Traders have reported seeing near misses for pedestrians on the central crossing near the Mr Yakkerboo and Blue statue and I’ve seen pedestrians and cars struggling to understand who has right of way on the John St/Main St roundabout,” she said.
Active transport should be prioritised, Roberts said, not only because it is core to residents who want to keep healthy, but also because many have resorted to staying on their feet as cost-of-living has risen.
“The COVID pandemic and cost of living pressures have changed how many people get around
and Council policy needs to reflect this,” Roberts said.
“Quality local footpaths and crossings are infrastructure Council is responsible for providing and I want to see Council working on paths and crossings in a strategic manner.
“Walking and cycling have the two-fold benefits of being good for your health as well as getting you where you might want to go.”
Furthermore, the review can ensure paths are ‘meeting all accessibility standards’ as well as boost opportunities for Pakenham’s local traders.
“If you can move safely and easily in a shopping precinct you are more likely to stretch your journey to call into just one more business,” she said.
“If there are good accessible car parks matched with good paths for those who need to move from vehicles to walk with mobility aids, people can shop independently.”
The council’s strategy also encompasses regional bike trails and Roberts said residents have also raised their desire to see these further developed.
She said the review can also look into the many that are already being established to help finish them off for recreational cyclists and walkers.
