DENISE PHIPPS QUESTION 1 Can Council please explain in detail how this "recreationally focused pathway" will address core community needs detailed in feedback in 2021 to Council's walking and cycling strategy, especially those aimed at improving safe connectivity, genuine cycling safety, every day usage, reduced traffic congestion and lower emissions? RESPONSE PROVIDED BY SHAUN WALSH, DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE Thank you Mrs Phipps for the question. The Active Street directly responds to the core community needs identified in the 2021 Walking and Cycling Strategy feedback, particularly around safety, everyday use, connectivity, congestion and emissions reduction. The project delivers a safe, continuous link between key destinations including homes, beaches, parks, bus stops, schools and the Peregian Village. By creating a low-speed, low-stress street environment with traffic calming, safer crossings, clear priority for people walking and riding, and a dedicated pathway for less-confident users, it provides genuine cycling safety rather than the narrow on-road shoulders or unsafe mixed-traffic environments residents identified as concerns. This kind of safe, local street corridor supports everyday trips - to school, the beach, local shops and bus stops - rather than being limited to recreational use. The Coastal Pathway Study and Liveability feedback showed strong demand for short, local, safe walking and cycling routes that reduce reliance on cars. The Active Street directly meets this need. By encouraging more people to walk or ride for short local journeys, the project also contributes to reduced local traffic, fewer short car trips, and consequently lower transport emissions, aligning with the community’s stated priorities and Council’s long-term transport and sustainability goals. In short, the Active Street improves safety, creates everyday connectivity, encourages mode shift away from cars, and supports lower congestion and emissions - exactly the outcomes the community asked for. QUESTION 2 Will Council halt the current ill-conceived, unproven and unwanted Active Street project planning, consult with all impacted residents and, based on feedback, proceed with route and design changes that address local community needs and do not compromise local residential character, amenity and safety as requested in the petition presented before council and signed by over 140 Local Residents and rate payers? RESPONSE PROVIDED BY SHAUN WALSH, DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE Council has received diverse feedback about the proposal. As well as the petition, other requests include residents seeking supply of a footpath, resolution of parking problems, concerns for speeding vehicles, as well as advocacy from stakeholder seeking safer cycling routes, all of which this project seeks to address. Council is committed to listening and working with the community. Council has made changes based on feedback during the preliminary design phase and will continue to consult with all interested residents and stakeholders as the project progresses. Council has planned additional information sessions including information pop up and a walking tour in the locality in the New Year and will send information out in the near future. Council looks forward to ongoing dialogue through upcoming communication opportunities.
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