Campaspe Shire Council has successfully secured funding for an additional 250m of footpath, five pram crossings and two sealed shoulders along Eyre St out east.
The ‘Walking on Eyre’ project is thanks to Campaspe Shire and lobbying from the Active Transport Echuca East Group to provide safe walking and cycling paths in the area, with the 250m footpath the first piece in a large puzzle.
“Through the Healthy Heart of Victoria program, council was successful in funding to support a number of projects, to encourage people to be more active, more often,” regulatory and community services general manager Paul McKenzie said.
“The Walking on Eyre project addresses a set of barriers for residents to actively transport, particularly students walking and cycling to school safely in Echuca’s east.
“The project also aligns to council’s Active Transport Strategy and addresses long-standing walking and cycling safety barriers in Echuca East.”
Council aims to have the $129,525 Eyre St footpath project completed before the end of this year; however, this will be subject to contactor availability.
“This announcement is fabulous news for students who attend Echuca East Primary School and residents who live in the vicinity of Eyre St,” ATEEG’s Chelsea Dridan said.
“We want to thank Daniel Mackrell and Campaspe Shire for their efforts in obtaining the funding for these additional footpaths.
“ATEEG's initial analysis determined half of the children who attend Echuca East Primary School cannot safely walk or ride to school safely.
“The installation of footpaths along Eyre St directly linking to Echuca East Primary School was ATEEG's key priority.”
The new footpath along Eyre St will give children from about 20 families from Echuca East Primary School a safe way to walk or ride to school.
“Having the new footpath along Eyre St will mean my two children will now be able to safely ride or scoot to school,” Echuca East parent Amanda Potter said.
“Max and James are so excited and can't wait for the new footpath to be completed.”
“Many more footpaths and safe crossings are still required to enable the many students who live within 2km of Echuca East Primary School to be able to walk or ride safely,” Jodi Ujimoto said.
“Addressing the lack of footpaths and safe crossing points across Bowen St is ATEEG's next priority as there are about 50 families who live east of Bowen St with children who attend Echuca East Primary School.”
The Walking on Eyre project is in next year’s proposed council budget, which is currently out for community comment.
“Another project for Echuca East in next year’s budget is the redevelopment of the Echuca East Community Precinct,” Mr McKenzie said.
“Council has been actively working with the community for a number of years, and this project has now moved from concept plans, to detailed design, which is currently under way.”
The redevelopment includes a multipurpose community building, multipurpose open activity space, off-leash dog park, cycling and walking paths and an accessible play space.
“This $6.9 million multi-year project is being funded through the Victorian Government Community Infrastructure Loan Scheme, a low-interest loan program, and is subject to council approving the borrowings in the 2020/21 budget,” Mr McKenzie said.
The 2020/21 budget allocates $3,464,422 for year one of the project. Council plans to consider the adoption of the 2020/21 budget on June 23, after which time, all projects for the 2020/21 year will be confirmed.
To view the proposed 2020/21 budget, visit campaspe.vic.gov.au/Our-council/Open-for-comment
If you are interested in joining the more than 180 members of the ATEEG, email ateegroup@gmail.comfacebook.com/groups/ateegroup or visit
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