New footpaths in the Melton municipality could be on the cards following an investigation into which rural and low density estates are lacking a network.
A notice of motion raised by councillor Julie Shannon at the July 28 council meeting called on officers to prepare a report for councillors on which low density estates in the municipality have no footpath network and would benefit from a pedestrian path similar to the one funded for Sugar Gum Estate.
It also requested information from officers on whether council has received requests for footpaths in these estates and the costings to provide these paths.
“In line with the recent Sugar Gum Estate proposed pedestrian path, it would be beneficial to know if any other rural low density estates that also have … high pedestrian use would benefit from a similar treatment,” Cr Shannon said.
Cr Lara Carli said that once completed in Sugar Gum Estate, the footpaths will make a huge difference to residents and supported the idea of modelling a similar network elsewhere.
Cr Kathy Majdlik said it will be interesting to see once the Sugar Gum Estate footpaths are completed if there are any improvements that can be made, and then whether the network can be replicated and improved in other areas.
Cr Sophie Ramsey said that with a number of rural and semi-rural developments right around our municipality, it would be good to take the learnings from the Sugar Gum Estate footpath network further out.
