Colac Otway Shire Council is proposing to install lights along the Queen Street shared path in Colac and is encouraging local residents to have their say on the value of lighting to improve safety.
Council’s Infrastructure & Leisure Services General Manager Tony McGann said Council was planning to install lights between Aireys Street and Tulloh Street along the shared path.
“Council intends to install lighting in two stages with stage one, between Aireys and Slater streets, to start soon and the second stage between Slater and Tulloh streets undertaken when funding allows.
“Stage one of these works is being funded by the Victorian Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program with a contribution from Council.
“We completed the shared 1.2-kilometre path in 2018 to provide an important off-road connection for Elliminyt residents to key facilities including Colac Secondary College, Elliminyt Primary School, Bluewater Leisure Centre, Central Reserve and it also links to the existing footpath network.”
“The path is particularly well-used by students and families with young children and has become increasingly popular as all-year-round exercise path for residents of all ages.
“Feeling safe when go for a walk or ride is key to encouraging more physical activity which improves our community’s health and wellbeing, as outlined in Colac Otway’s Council Plan.
“We believe pathway lighting is important to our perception of safety and we also understand that early morning or evening is the best time for some residents to schedule in their exercise for the day.
“Council is encouraging everyone who lives or works in the area, already uses the path, or would use the path if lighting was improved to complete our online survey.
“We will also be promoting the survey through the local school communities and anyone over 13 can have their say on perceptions of public safety and lighting along the Shared Path.
“The survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is entirely confidential with no personal information gathered,” he said.
“It’s fantastic that Colac Otway Shire can partner with the State Government to deliver these important projects, and community input and support assists greatly in securing funding and achieving these positive outcomes.”
Please complete Colac Otway Shire Council’s online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W7G2BFS and the survey will close on August 14, 2020.
