Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan
Council recognises that walking is an important travel mode, both for solely pedestrian journeys and also as part of trips for which the main mode of travel is by bus, rail or car. Increasing the proportion of journeys that are undertaken on foot can make a significant contribution to achieving a better quality of life and environment for all.
Pedestrian access ramps are installed to support safer and easier use by the elderly, handicapped, people with prams and all community users. Benefits derived from encouraging walking include improved health, no environmental impacts, decreased traffic congestion and improved safety.
Site Selection
To achieve these benefits Council has adopted a methodology of prioritising where pedestrian ramps should be installed. We seek to ensure all relevant Australian Standards and legislation are considered and met where possible, in both the selection of locations and the construction of these facilities. Council delivers facilities in locations that will provide the greatest overall community benefit. A report identifying locations for installation as part of each year's budget is presented to the Access Committee.
Council seeks to install as many pedestrian ramps as funding allows. Installation of ramps in some locations is not always possible given constraints such as topography (steepness) and adjacent services. The replacement of existing ramps that do not comply is considered on a location by location basis considering the overall funding of the footpath network and the existing prioritised program of works.
All community requests are considered using this approach and the detailed selection criteria table below:
| Benefit | Priority |
| Improves the level of pedestrian access and priority, particularly in areas of high pedestrian activity such as shopping centres, community centres, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and transport nodes | High |
| Improves the level of personal mobility and safety for pedestrians with disabilities and older persons through the provision of pedestrian infrastructure and facilities which cater to the needs of all pedestrians | High |
| Improves accessibility, safety and personal mobility of all members of the community by linking pedestrian concentrations to the pedestrian facilities networks | High |
| Integrates walking into the transport system as a legitimate form of transport and to encourage more walking | High |
| Enhances safe and convenient crossing opportunities on major roads | High |
| Travel time savings for pedestrians | Medium |
| Healthy lifestyle | Medium |
| Amenity | Low |
| Travel time savings for other road users | Low |
| Economic Sustainability | Low |
| Existing ramps that for varying reasons do not comply with Australian Standards | Low |