2024-08-09
The ACT Greens have today announced a plan to drastically improve Canberra’s footpaths, to ensure all Canberrans can get around their neighbourhoods safely and easily.
“The Greens want Canberra to be a city that’s easy to get around. Whether you’re walking, riding, pushing a pram or in a wheelchair, you should be able to get to your local shops or bus stop safely and conveniently,” said Jo Clay, recontesting Greens MLA for Ginninderra.
“But right now our paths just aren’t kept in a good enough condition and many are missing connections. When I’m out doorknocking one of the most common thingsI’m hearing is that our city needs better paths. We’re in a climate emergency. With over 60% of our emissions coming from transport, we need to do better.
“There is not enough investment in building new paths and not enough dedicated to maintaining the ones we have.
“Not only will the ACT Greens dedicate $20 million every year for new paths and connections, we will increase investment in path maintenance to $15 million every year, up from the current $5 - $6.5 million.
“This investment will deliver a rolling maintenance and audit program that sets a timeframe of 6 months for repairs, a stark improvement on the current 18+ month wait time.
“At long last, path maintenance has been partially insourced. But this is a core public service and the work and should be delivered quickly and routinely by public employees. We will establish an ACT Government path maintenance team to fully insource all maintenance. This will ensure we aren't relying on private contractor capacity for basic repairs.
“We also want to give more families the option to walk or ride to school safely by investing in more raised crossings and more crossing supervisors at schools.
“I’m really lucky that I live in an area where my daughter can walk and ride to school, but I know that’s not the case for every family in Canberra.
“The ACT Greens want all Canberrans to have the option to walk, ride, scoot or wheel around safely, and in order to do that we need to invest in better connections and prioritise upgrades to existing paths.
ACT Greens leader, Shane Rattenbury, said the plan is part of the Greens broader vision for a more livable Canberra.
“The ACT Greens want Canberra to be a place where people are connected within their neighbourhoods and can get around safely and easily,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“In order to achieve that we need a network of well-connected, well-maintained footpaths so that people can get from A to B without the challenges of navigating cracked and uneven paths or big gaps in the path network.
“Despite the Greens best efforts, investment in footpaths has just not been a priority for this Government.
“We know that our current network is missing vital connections across all parts of Canberra and we know that the maintenance program is not sufficiently funded.
“The ACT Greens plan will make footpaths a priority and make walking and cycling a genuine option for more Canberrans,” said Mr Rattenbury.
Greens candidate for Brindabella, Sam Nugent, emphasised the need for better paths for a disability friendly city.
“Accessible and well maintained paths are a simple, and yet a frequently forgotten accessibility solution for people with a disability or mobility challenges,” said Ms Nugent.
“Unmaintained paths can cause damage to mobility aides, wheelchairs or supportive equipment and this not only deprives people of independence, but causes stress and increased expenses for people just trying to live a normal life.
“As a person with MS, I have to allow additional time to investigate the safety of paths around places I need to go, including my workplace, to ensure the safest walking routes. This process is time consuming but is a self management practice common for people with disability.
“I have heard from those in the disability community that many fear leaving their home because of unsafe paths between home and their local shops. This becomes a barrier to independent shopping, socialising and access to public transport and increases their isolation.
“The ACT Greens plan is about supporting independence and creating communities where people are connected, regardless of their abilities,” said Ms Nugent.