Media response - footpaths

Published on 25 July 2025

Response to The Advertiser.

• I was hoping you could let me know why there has been such a long wait for footpaths in these areas, as mentioned in Cr Eaton's question in this month's council meeting agenda. When can residents expect footpaths in these areas? 

Attributed to Jessica Tucker, Acting Director, City Operations

We acknowledge the frustration felt by residents in some of our older suburbs who have been waiting a long time for footpath infrastructure.

Previous situation

Historically, the delivery of new footpaths in areas like Aberfoyle Park, Coromandel Valley, Flagstaff Hill, Happy Valley and O’Halloran Hill was limited due to the service levels in place under the council’s previous prioritisation approach.

The duplication of footpaths was previously prioritised along major roads, rather than installing new footpaths on local roads where none existed.

Current situation

The previous approach did not align with community expectations, particularly in older areas developed without pedestrian infrastructure.

In response, council listened to the community and in 2024 reviewed and updated its service levels and prioritisation approach.

The revised prioritisation now focuses on delivering footpaths on local roads with no existing infrastructure, especially in areas close to schools, shops, public transport and ageing populations.

Outcome

This shift has had a significant impact—over 90 per cent of the current capital works program for new and upgraded footpaths is now focused on suburbs without existing pedestrian infrastructure.

What’s planned:

• Across the suburbs listed—Aberfoyle Park, Coromandel Valley, Flagstaff Hill, Happy Valley and O’Halloran Hill—more than 11km of new footpaths are scheduled for construction between now and 2029.
• For example, 3.89km of new paths are planned for Aberfoyle Park, 5.29km for Happy Valley, 1.39km for Flagstaff Hill, 0.72km for O’Halloran Hill.
• Pathways in areas like Glenhuntly Drive, Flagstaff Hill are being reviewed as part of future project planning, particularly where access to reserves or community infrastructure is impacted.

The total value of footpath projects planned in these suburbs over the next five years is approximately $2.64 million.

What is the scope of council’s footpath program?

We are currently updating and assessing the full capital works program for footpaths, which constitutes approximately 1400 projects across the city, in line with the Council endorsed prioritisation methods.

ENDS