The City of Mount Gambier is seeking community feedback on the shared cycling and walking paths at the Rail Trail to assess demand for additional infrastructure.
The construction of the Rail Trail shared cycling and walking path through the heart of Mount Gambier is popular with the local community and visitors to the city.
“It is regularly used by many residents for cycling and walking, for both recreation and commuting,” City of Mount Gambier Environmental Sustainability Officer Aaron Izzard said.
Mr Izzard said the key to the success of the Rail Trail is the fact that it is safe, easy to access and cyclists and walkers are clearly separated from motor traffic.
“It is now timely that we actively seek feedback from the community on the Rail Trail shared cycling and walking paths and assess the appetite within our community for more of this type of infrastructure.”
Council already has a significant footpath program that caters for pedestrians. Expanding this program to include cycling could further assist our community to be more active and healthy.
Health issues due to insufficient physical activity throughout the Australian population, including Mount Gambier, have been well documented, with incidental exercise such as cycling or walking to get from A to B, identified as the most likely form of exercise to be maintained over the longer term.
“A Queensland government study found that on average every $1.00 invested in cycling infrastructure returned almost $5.00 in health benefits, reduced traffic congestion and delivered other social and economic benefits,” Mr Izzard said.
Council encourages the community to participate in the consultation process at: https://www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au/cycling
“If you use the Rail Trail and have feedback and ideas about the shared cycling and walking paths, please go online and have your say.”
"You can have your input by completing a survey and dropping a pin on our interactive map to highlight strengths, weaknesses and improvement opportunities relating to cycling in Mount Gambier."
Survey participants can opt-in to go into the draw to win a $50.00 voucher from Daktari Sport, Mount Gambier.
Consultation closes Friday 15 February 2019.
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny McLean on 8721 2401 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
