City to meet majority of footpath network costs
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28/02/2022
The Council has declared a shared funding model to help build a network of connected footpaths in Ocean Grove.
Through an amended resolution the Council has decided to contribute more funding to the overall project and lessen the financial charge on participating residents.
The amended split – which will see the City (65 per cent) bear the majority of the costs - is in line with the Council’s Special Rates and Charges Policy which was updated in 2021.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said an extensive amount of engagement had shown the initiative had broad community support.
“We’ve spent time to get this right and ensure the network of paths linking key centres and facilities best meets the needs of the community ” he said.
“The new paths will provide more opportunities for people to choose active transport and create a safer and more accessible network around ‘old’ Ocean Grove.”
The Ocean Grove Town Centre Urban Design Framework adopted by Council
in June 2014 recommended that a PPN be developed in the area.
Council resolved to give notice of its intention to declare a Special Charge Scheme (SCS) to deliver the PPN at a meeting in March 2021.
Formal engagement on the SCS began in April with 298 submissions received from the community.
In response to the feedback a 1km section around the Begola Wetlands was removed.
This has reduced both the total project cost and the contribution required from property owners.
The total network is now made up of 24.3kms of new footpaths and shared paths including:
21.1km of 1.5-metre-wide concrete footpaths; and
3.2km of 2.5-metre-wide concrete or gravel ‘shared’ paths
There are 6357 properties included in the SCS across an area of town informally known as ‘old’ Ocean Grove.
Out of a revised cost estimate of $6.53 million the City will contribute a total of $4 408 162 representing 65 per cent of the overall cost.
Under the new funding model private property owners will contribute a total of $2 122 381.09 (35 per cent overall).
This would see each owner pay $333.87 from the start of construction no earlier than July 2023.
Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason said the footpath network would improve accessibility and encourage more people to use active transport modes such as walking and cycling.
“This has been a difficult process but I think the funding model we have voted on is the most practical outcome ” Cr Mason said.
“A reduction from 50 per cent contribution to 35 per cent for residents provides a reduction on the original proposal and by going ahead rather than abandoning or delaying we are finding a way to get this important footpath network built in its entirety.
“A decision on this issue has been a long time coming for the Ocean Grove community and we now at last have certainty that it will be delivered in full.”
Through an amended resolution the Council has decided to contribute more funding to the overall project and lessen the financial charge on participating residents.
The amended split – which will see the City (65 per cent) bear the majority of the costs - is in line with the Council’s Special Rates and Charges Policy which was updated in 2021.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said an extensive amount of engagement had shown the initiative had broad community support.
“We’ve spent time to get this right and ensure the network of paths linking key centres and facilities best meets the needs of the community ” he said.
“The new paths will provide more opportunities for people to choose active transport and create a safer and more accessible network around ‘old’ Ocean Grove.”
The Ocean Grove Town Centre Urban Design Framework adopted by Council
in June 2014 recommended that a PPN be developed in the area.
Council resolved to give notice of its intention to declare a Special Charge Scheme (SCS) to deliver the PPN at a meeting in March 2021.
Formal engagement on the SCS began in April with 298 submissions received from the community.
In response to the feedback a 1km section around the Begola Wetlands was removed.
This has reduced both the total project cost and the contribution required from property owners.
The total network is now made up of 24.3kms of new footpaths and shared paths including:
21.1km of 1.5-metre-wide concrete footpaths; and
3.2km of 2.5-metre-wide concrete or gravel ‘shared’ paths
There are 6357 properties included in the SCS across an area of town informally known as ‘old’ Ocean Grove.
Out of a revised cost estimate of $6.53 million the City will contribute a total of $4 408 162 representing 65 per cent of the overall cost.
Under the new funding model private property owners will contribute a total of $2 122 381.09 (35 per cent overall).
This would see each owner pay $333.87 from the start of construction no earlier than July 2023.
Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason said the footpath network would improve accessibility and encourage more people to use active transport modes such as walking and cycling.
“This has been a difficult process but I think the funding model we have voted on is the most practical outcome ” Cr Mason said.
“A reduction from 50 per cent contribution to 35 per cent for residents provides a reduction on the original proposal and by going ahead rather than abandoning or delaying we are finding a way to get this important footpath network built in its entirety.
“A decision on this issue has been a long time coming for the Ocean Grove community and we now at last have certainty that it will be delivered in full.”