Taylors Creek Shared Path, Wallan – Additional Consultation

Project Update

Council would like to provide an update on this project and thank you for participating during the community consultation process in November and December 2020. There was a positive response to the project and proposed elements at the time. The design process has been progressing slowly in recent months whilst Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) investigative works are underway.

Council is seeking additional feedback from the community in relation to the path surface and solar lighting that will help finalise the design. This will be done firstly with those that contributed to the initial consultation, key stakeholder groups and then with the broader community.

To participate, please complete the survey before this final consultation round closes on Wednesday 7 July at 5pm.

Background information for the path surface and solar lighting is provided below to assist:

Path Surface Preference

There will be two paths – one on each side of the creek as per the attached layout plan. The alignment of the paths follows the creek, taking into account the natural environment, services and input from various teams across Council as well as external specialists have also been included in the design to ensure the works are safe, sustainable and maintainable.

There are 3 surface options listed below. Some considerations for concrete and granitic sand surfacing are below to assist:

1. Concrete of varying widths
2. Granitic Sand
3. Hybrid (path surface on one side of the creek is concrete and the path on the other side of the creek is granitic sand)

Concrete

• More accessible to a variety of users and less slippery
• Shared path line marking is possible
• Longer expected asset life than granitic sand
• More expensive to construct than granitic sand
• Cheaper to maintain

Granitic Sand

• Maintains a more natural look along Taylors Creek Reserve
• One side of the creek already has a granitic sand path
• Susceptible to erosion and generating an uneven / rutted surface in wet weather
• Less accessible than concrete
• Cheaper to construct than concrete
• Higher maintenance requirements and costs than concrete

Solar Lighting Preference

The installation of solar lighting is proposed along both sides of the shared path to allow exercise in the evenings and winter months, with light poles spaced 50m apart. The intention of the solar lighting is to light the pathway for users rather than the entire reserve, and lighting has been kept to a minimum to respect the natural setting and minimise impacts to local wildlife. The solar light towers will have sensors that brighten up when movement is detected nearby. The design and positioning of the solar lighting has been in conjunction with a specialist design consultant.

Key considerations for lighting include cost, safety, proximity to existing street lighting and nearby housing and ecological impacts. A sample picture taken from a similar project at Ryans Creek Reserve is attached. There is also a view that solar lighting may create a false sense of security along the path, particularly in areas where there is low surveillance from neighbouring properties.

If you have concerns about lighting impacting neighbouring properties, we can discuss these concerns with you.

Council is seeking your feedback on the level of lighting:

1. Do you support lighting of the path at the proposed 50m spacings?
2. Would you like the path to be better lit?
3. Would you prefer the path to have no lighting?

Funding partners

This $1.786 million project is funded in partnership between the Victorian Government's Growing Suburbs Fund ($1.688 million) and Council ($98,395).

More information

If you have any questions or would like any further information please email recreation@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au or call us on 5734 6200.

Survey closes 5pm, Wednesday 7 July 2021