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.
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.
walking-cycling-strategy.docx