Golden Plains Shire Council is inviting community members across the Shire to share their feedback as part of the Golden Plains Transport Connections Study.
The Golden Plains Transport Connections Study will help identify current and future transport needs in Golden Plains Shire. The study will inform the future design of Council’s community transport services to ensure that new services increase connectivity and contribute towards a network of accessible locations. It will also provide evidence-based data to support Council as it advocates for greater transport connections in the Shire.
Council is seeking feedback from all community members on their current transport needs, the transport services currently available and the barriers that may impact them accessing these services.
The Golden Plains Transport Connections survey is open from Wednesday 16 March to 5pm, Wednesday 4 May. The survey can be completed online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations or collect a hard-copy at one of Council’s Customer Service Centres, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn or 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale. Completed paper surveys may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to: Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331, marked 'Urgent – Golden Plains Transport Connections Study'.
Council will hold five in-person and two online Golden Plains Transport Connections Study workshops, with community members encouraged to participate and share their feedback on transport in the Shire. Golden Plains Transport Connections Study workshops will be held on:
- Tuesday 19 April from 6 to 7.30pm to be held online via Zoom
- Wednesday 20 April from 11am to 12.30pm at Inverleigh Public Hall, 71 High Street, Inverleigh
- Wednesday 17 April from 6 to 7.30pm to be held online via Zoom
- Thursday 28 April from 5.30 to 7pm at Linton Shire Hall, 68 Sussex Street, Linton
- Saturday 30 April from 11am to 12.30pm at Meredith Memorial Hall, 61 Staughton Street, Meredith
Councill Officers will also be attending the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market on Saturday 2 April and the Smythesdale Country Market on Saturday 18 April, to discuss the Golden Plains Transport Connection Study. Community members are encouraged to stop by and share their current and future transport needs.
The Transport Connections Study follows the recent Golden Plains Community Bus trial, which ran from July to December 2021, with data and feedback from service users and residents to be included in the study. Council has received $41,420 from the Department of Transport for the project, with Council contributing $10,000 and $31,574 in-kind to deliver the study.
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble encouraged Golden Plains Shire residents to share their feedback as part of the study.
“Council understands the needs for improved public transport and alternative transport options within Golden Plains. Undertaking a Shire-wide study is a commitment in our Council Plan 2021-2025 and the Golden Plains Transport Connections Study will provide valuable data for Council’s future approaches to advocating for improved options.
“Residents have spoken to Council about the need for improved transport options and we want to hear more about their experiences and the services they want. I encourage all residents to take this opportunity to have their say on transport in the Shire.”