By BEN CAMERON
CARDINIA Shire Council must channel more ratepayers’ money into local links like an unbroken foot path between Pakenham and Beaconsfield and less into sporting reserves according to Ranges Ward Cr Tania Baxter.
Cr Baxter said one of her main priorities as a councillor was to get “logical path networks throughout our shire”, but was frustrated by the fragmented nature of links between the two areas.
“As a Beaconsfield resident, there are better linkages to Casey than to our own shire,” she said.
General manager Assets and Services Michael Ellis highlighted eight areas north of the Princes Highway, and three to the south, which would complete the network.
“Almost all the future paths are DCP (Development Contribution Plan) paths, but most will be constructed by the adjacent developers when development occurs as a planning permit condition,” he said.
“A complete footpath linkage between Pakenham and Beaconsfield should occur on the south side to capitalise on existing paths already constructed.
“The overall cost to provide a footpath linking existing paths between Beaconsfield and Pakenham on the south side is about $700,000.
“The financing of a path on the south side will be predominantly through the Officer DCP and developer works.”
However, Cr Baxter said she did not want to wait an estimated five to seven years for the area to see the necessary development to warrant the links being installed.
“It’s the chicken and egg scenario,” she said.
“But people will come if the infrastructure is there.
“Our core business as a council is to provide strategic linkages in our shire.
“I am frustrated that councillors are happy to overspend on recreation reserves but not put enough into basic path access around the shire.”
Ranges Ward Cr Brett Owen said the Officer Structure Plan had provisions for connecting paths but much of it depended on developer contributions.
“There are provisions for footpaths, however we have to wait for the blocks of land to sell,” he said.
One of the plan’s objectives was to “facilitate a regional bicycle path network linking important destination points such as … the Princes Freeway shared path, Officer Town Centre … Beaconsfield … ”
While Cr Baxter was satisfied that a majority of the links between Beaconsfield and Pakenham were in place, she would like to see the “jigsaw puzzle completed”.
“This is something which caters for all the community, not just sports clubs,” she said.
