Residents in Bannockburn, Scarsdale, Rokewood and Smythesdale are benefiting from new and improved footpaths as part of Council’s footpath works program.
In its 2019/20 Budget, Council allocated $300,000 to complete works on a number of paths and trails across the Shire. Works were recently completed on the latest footpath upgrade, with a new 200m concrete path on Byron Street and a 100m concrete path on Milton Street in Bannockburn, opposite the popular Bannockburn Heart.
Earlier in the year, Council completed works on the following new or upgraded footpaths:
- 100m shared concrete path on Becker Street, Smythesdale outside the Smythesdale campus of Woady Yaloak Primary School;
- 1.1km asphalt path on Pitfield-Scarsdale Road between Carlyle Street and the Scarsdale campus of Woady Yaloak Primary School; and
- 230m concrete path on Aitchison Street, Rokewood between Gibb and McMillan Streets.
Golden Plains Shire Council was successful in securing a grant from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) for the Bannockburn footpath works. Through this grant, the TAC contributed 50% to the total cost of the upgraded footpath, allowing Council to redirect the remaining budget to complete the Aitchison Street, Rokewood path.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says that this year has been a busy year for infrastructure construction right across the Shire, and safe local footpaths are a priority on Council’s works list.
“From new and upgraded bridges, to widening and sealing busy roads, and down to footpath upgrades – the past year has been a busy one to improve infrastructure across the Shire, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. When students return to school at Woady Yaloak Primary School in Smythesdale next week, they will enjoy safe new concrete footpaths, just like students have at the Scarsdale campus and residents in Bannockburn and Rokewood.”
“While footpath projects might seem small-fry, they bring incredible value to those local communities, through improving safety, walkability and connectivity in towns and villages across Golden Plains Shire.”
“Thank you to the TAC for partnering with Council to deliver the improved footpaths on Byron and Milton Streets in Bannockburn. Not only did their grant help us get the job done, it also ensured Council was able to complete an additional new footpath in Rokewood.”