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
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
walking-cycling-strategy.docx