Project Update - 5 October 2023

In collaboration with the Ocean Grove community, the City has launched a multi-year initiative to address long-standing footpath network issues in the 'old’ Ocean Grove and Collendina areas.

Spanning a substantial 24.3 kilometres of newly constructed pathways, this ambitious footpath network project is poised to reshape the landscape of Ocean Grove.

We have finalised the pedestrian network plan, ensuring no further route adjustments. Once completed, the pathways will enable Ocean Grove to become a more pedestrian friendly community and will enable residents to enjoy the social, economic and environmental benefits of active transport.

We extend our gratitude to the Ocean Grove community for their invaluable support.

For more information, please visit geelong.link/PedestrianNetwork or the Ocean Grove Library foyer where updates will also be available.

As the project advances, additional information will be provided to keep residents well-informed about the planned works on their street.

About the scheme

OVERVIEW

There are many streets in Ocean Grove without footpaths and other areas with gaps between footpath sections. Our Principal Pedestrian Network project has identified a series of footpaths that would connect users across Ocean Grove to key destinations.

A continuous network of footpaths has many benefits including:

  • promoting a healthy lifestyle
  • improving safety
  • improving access to key destinations, and
  • reducing car dependence.

The network would allow Ocean Grove to become a more walkable community and enable residents to enjoy the social, economic, and environmental benefits of walking.

At its meeting on 23 March, Council resolved to give notice of its intention to declare a Special Charge Scheme to deliver an expanded Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN) in Ocean Grove.

Special Charge Schemes are used to help the City provide a range of public infrastructure, with the charge placed on the property owners who will benefit from the works.

The City would invest $3,540,065 which will include $3,031,972 to match the property owners’ contribution, plus $466,597 for shared paths plus $41,494 for City owned properties within the scheme. Property owners would each contribute an estimated $476.95 equalling $3,031,972 based on an apportionment of cost of equal share across rateable properties. This excludes properties that have previously contributed to a footpath SRC.

You can read more about the project, including our previous community engagement below.

About the network

THE PROJECT

Special Charge Schemes are used to help the City provide a range of public infrastructure, with the charge placed on the property owners who will benefit from the works.

The City would invest $3.65 million towards the project, which includes $440,000 for width upgrades to new shared paths and $45,000 for the City’s own property charges.

Under an equal share model – which was supported by a majority of property owners who participated in community engagement - property owners would each contribute $507 (see Past Engagement tab).

The total project includes 25.2km of new paths, with new sections added to the network’s original 22.8km, following requests from the community.

The additional footpath sections include:

- Wallington Road;

- Presidents Avenue (in front of the park);

- Tuckfield Street East Side;

- Shell Road West;

- Orton Street South (Sweetman Parade to Presidents Avenue);

- Field Street South;

- The Parade (Wallington Road to Field Street South);

- The Parade;

- Begola Wetlands; and

- Collendina Reserve.

A full list of streets included in the network can be found here.

The network also includes a 1.4km shared walking/cycling path along the length of Tuckfield St from Shell Road to Ocean Throughway and shared paths through Kingston Park, Begola Wetlands, Collendina Reserve, and extensions to the Peers Crescent riverside shared path.

Past Engagement

INTENTION TO DECLARE SUBMISSION PERIOD

The submission period closed on 24 May 2021. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback, it is valued and appreciated. We received 298 submissions about the Principal Pedestrian Network. A summary of the main themes from the submissions received can be found here Submission feedback summary.

11 residents attended a Submission Review Panel (SRP) hearing which took place on 14 July 2021.

2019-2020 ENGAGEMENT

In December 2019, we started a four-month engagement program to gauge community interest in completing the footpath network in Ocean Grove. We also wanted to understand how large the network should be and what contribution the community would make.

We asked for feedback on two footpath options and four funding options (see table below).

During the engagement period we

  • sent 5,644 letters regarding the engagement process
  • received 1,035 valid surveys, a response rate of 18.3% (a survey was considered valid if it was completed and not a duplicate)
  • met with 454 landowners over 12 engagement sessions
  • received over 600 surveys with additional feedback.

The outcomes of this engagement was presented to Council in March 2021 to determine if the project goes ahead.

PROPOSED FUNDING OPTIONS

If the City determines the project proceeds it would be funded by a Special Rate Charge where property owners and council both contribute to the cost.

In traditional Special Rate Charge projects only the property facing the footpath would contribute to the cost. Previous engagement with the community highlighted an interest in finding a more equitable solution than the traditional method.The options presented to the community are outlined in the table below.

Funding Option
(Estimated network cost)
11.3 km network
$2,780,909
22.8 km network
$5,362,068
1. Traditional scheme

Only properties directly facing the footpath contribute

$1,914/property

615 properties contributing

$2,056/property

1,199 properties contributing

2. Street access

Both sides of street contribute

$1,006/property

1,205 properties contributing

$994/property

2,544 properties contributing

3. Sliding scale

Contribution varies based on property distance from the new footpath

$114-$568/property

3,372 properties contributing

$114-$569/property

6,291 properties contributing

4. Equal share

All properties within the new network contribute


$415/property

3,373 properties contributing

$430/property

6,293 properties contributing

ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY

Results from the survey indicate that 57.1% of those who responded (591 surveys) were in favour of connecting the footpath network. Of those who supported the footpath network 66.3% preferred to see the 22.8 km footpath network delivered.

Survey results also indicate a preference for the 'Equal Share' funding model over all other funding options.

SURVEY RESULTS

The graph below shows the survey results for each footpath network and funding option.

FAQ's

Special Rate Charge

For more information on special rate and charge schemes visit geelongaustralia.com.au


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