Mansfield Shire Council, at the foot of the Victorian Alps, is showing the way on active transport, finishing two projects while getting a third underway.
It recently completed a new shared path along Kidston Parade linking the Maroondah Highway with Malcolm Street and improving pedestrian and cycling access between Beolite Village, Mansfield Golf Club, nearby residences and the centre of Mansfield.
The 2.5m-wide sealed shared path with new concrete curb ramps, signage and line marking at intersecting roads cost $180,000, jointly funded by Mansfield Shire Council and the Department of Transport and Planning’s Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program.
In addition, the council has wrapped up Stage 2 of the new shared path along Piries–Goughs Bay Road, providing a link from Goughs Bay to major tourist attraction, the High Country Gardens, Gallery and Maze.
The new path provides a safer and improved route for pedestrians and riders, and careful planning has ensured the environmental impact has been minimised with no tree removal needed.
Construction took place over nine weeks between December and February with new drainage along the path designed to reduce the need for ongoing maintenance.
The cost to complete Stage 2 was $163,717, with $100,000 of support from the state government.
The council is also planning a third stage, which will ultimately extend the path all the way to Mountain Bay Drive.
The council is now constructing its new shared path along Mansfield–Whitfield Road, providing better active transport links from this outer precinct to the centre of Mansfield.
A 2.5m-wide gravel shared path is planned for the eastern side of the road running from Kareen Court to Maple Tree Boulevard, with connections to existing footpaths on both those streets.
The new path will extend the existing link between Kareen Court and Mansfield Botanic Park and will include bicycle handrails, safety signage and drainage upgrades.
The $170,000 project is funded jointly by the council and Department of Transport and Planning and is scheduled for completion in early June.
Mayor Steve Rabie said the path was part of delivering on council’s Footpath and Shared Path Strategy and was included in the 2024–25 budget in response to community submissions.
“We engaged thoroughly with our community to develop the Footpath and Shared Path Strategy in 2022,” he said.
“The new paths we’re delivering around our shire reflect what we heard from our community about their priorities for new walking and cycling links.”
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes congratulated the council on the completed path.
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