WALK and RIDE in CASEY 2019-2041 Governance Information

WALK AND RIDE IN CASEY 2019-2041 Governance Information Approval Body Council Endorsement Date 3 December 2019 Current Version Version 1.0 Council policy documents change from time to time and it is recommended to consult the electronic reference copy on Casey Council’s website to ensure to have the current version. Alternatively, you may contact Customer Service on 9705 5200 Compulsory Review Cycle 4 years Review Date 3 December 2023 It is recognised that, from time to time, circumstances may change leading to the need for minor administrative changes to this document. Where an update does not materially alter this document, such a change may be made administratively Examples include a change to the name of Council department, a change to the name of a Federal or State Government department, and a minor update to legislation which does not have a material impact. However, any change or update which materially alters this document must be by resolution of Council Responsible Department City and Asset Planning Relevant Legislation Casey 21, Casey Council Plan, Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, Open Space Strategy, Transport Strategy ECM ID 13361854 Contents 4. Strategic Objectives 8 - 17 1. Introduction 4 Strategic Objective 1: Linked path network to local services 9 - 11 1.1 Background 5 Strategic Objective 2: Connected Green City 12 - 14 1.2 Strategic Context 6 Strategic Objective 3: 1.3 Community Engagement 7 Beyond Casey 15 Strategic Objective 4: 2. Vision 8 Smart Trails 16 3. Strategic Principles 8 Strategic Objective 5: Give it a go 17 3.1 Forward Thinking 5. Action Plan 18 - 20 3.2 Connect 6. Estimated Cost 21 - 23 3.3 Adapt 7. Monitoring and Evaluation 24 3.4 Prioritise 8. Appendix 25 - 29 Operational Examples 26 Classifications and Design Elements 27 - 29 1. Introduction The City of Casey is one of the largest and fastest-growing municipalities in Victoria and Australia. By 2041 our population is forecast to grow to 549,190 residents, calling for the need to be prepared for the physical, social and economic changes associated with rapid growth. Our community is faced with significant challenges to walk and ride within the municipality. This creates an opportunity for the City of Casey to positively improve the health, wellbeing and liveability for our residents and visitors through a connected path network. The Walk & Ride in Casey Strategy (the Strategy) provides guidance and direction to plan and deliver footpaths, shared paths, bicycle lanes and separate lanes that allow our community to freely commute and recreate on a connected path network that eases the challenges associated with our growing population. The challenges include: Traffic congestion Social isolation Climate change Perception of safety Technology dependency Lag in infrastructure delivery The Strategy includes the activities of walking, running, wheeled activities such as riding, scooting, roller blading and skate boarding, and use of mobility aides including wheelchairs, walking frames and electric scooters. The provision of a quality path network increases the options for community members of all ages and abilities Population for 2019: 356,555 to access local services, parks, trails, wetlands, creek corridors, sport and leisure facilities. This is key to increasing physical activity, improving mental health, creating social connections and reducing car dependence as well as increasing options for community members to access to education, employment and Population expected by 2041: 549,190 social activities. The Strategy understands and prioritises investment in the missing links required to create improved local and regional connections for the current and future path network within the Casey and with neighbouring council networks. 4 1.1 Background The City of Casey is highly reliant on car travel. We have the highest rate of car ownership per household in Victoria, which results in congested roads, long travel times and increased environmental impact of cars commuting within our City. In terms of health and wellbeing in the City of Casey: 25.2% of Casey residents are obese. 29.1% are overweight (Victorian Population Health Survey 2014). 21.9% or one in five do less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week. Children and young people have identified barriers to walking and riding. ‘Casey’s Future – A Plan for Children, Young People and Families 2017-2021’ consultation revealed: That children “enjoy a wide range of activities such as walking the dog, playing, family holidays, visiting playgrounds and parks”, however “they are worried that the roads are busy and dangerous”. That young residents find “Transport and time are a barrier to them to accessing programs in the community”, and “they think Casey should have better public transport and less traffic”. Walk and Ride in Casey Strategy Community members may not be able to drive, choose not to drive or not be able to access a provides strategic vehicle. These people include: guidance to Children and young people. deliver improved Elderly residents. infrastructure to People with a disability. encourage our Residents who are not able to afford and maintain a car. residents to walk and ride more Walking, bicycle riding, using a scooter, rollerblading, skateboarding, pushing a pram/stroller, and using a wheelchair, frame or electric scooter are things all members of our community can and are likely to do, cost very little, however are reliant on paths in good condition and a connected network. An extensive investigation into the missing links within the path network has provided Council with the required data to plan and prioritise for the future needs of walking and riding in the City of Casey. 5 1.2 Strategic Context The City of Casey’s policies, strategies and plans demonstrate commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of residents through well-planned facilities and services. Casey C21 – Casey Municipal Establishing and understanding the role and relationship of this Strategy to Council’s Council Plan Public Health other key documents ensures its consistency and contribution. Building a and Wellbeing Great City 2017-2021 The ‘Casey 21 Building A Great City 2011’, ‘Casey Council Plan 2017-2021’ and Plan 2017-2021 ‘Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021’ articulate Council’s vision and the overarching framework used to make key decisions and deliver service priorities. Sport and leisure facilities are featured as important infrastructure in delivering on the Council Plan vision ‘Creating Australia’s Most Liveable City’ and strategy ‘The destination for arts, culture, sport and leisure that attracts visitors and brings communities together’. Council’s ‘Open Space Strategy’ and ‘Leisure Facilities Planning and Development Principles Development Plan Policy’ guide planning and decision making in the open space, recreation and sport area. The ‘Walk and Ride in Casey Strategy’ replaces the ‘Paths and Trails Strategy’ adopted by Council in 2012. In the previous version, guidance for shared use paths and bicycle lanes infrastructure were addressed. In the new version, wider infrastructure such as Walk and Ride in Casey Strategy footpaths, shared paths, bicycle lanes and separate paths, have been included to understand and plan for the entire path network for walking and riding in the municipality. The Strategy does not inform infrastructure for cycling or skateboarding as an organised sport or for equestrian trails. These are planned for in Council’s ‘Leisure Facilities Development Plan Policy’, ‘Sport Cycling Strategy’, ‘Skate Strategy’ and ‘Casey Equestrian Strategy’. Community Leisure Facilities Demographic Development The Strategy aligns to the first objective of City of Casey’s ‘StreetsAhead - Integrated Engagement Plan Plan Policy Profile Transport Strategy’. ‘StreetsAhead’ provides guidance for a connected and safe path network so residents of all ages can incorporate active transport into their daily journey StreetsAhead and help reduce traffic stress on roads. Open Space Strategy Integrated Transport Strategy 6 1.3 Community Consultation The Walk and Ride in Casey Strategy is underpinned by Community Engagement consultation with the Casey community and external stakeholders. The ways that Council engaged with people included: • Phone Interviews: with 427 householders, comprising 1,000 individuals (inclusive of other family members in the household). Phone interviews Online Survey Pin the Map Focused groups The consultation process was part of the National Cycling Participation Survey (NCPS). NCPS is a standarised survey that has been repeated biennially since 2011 and allows Council to 427 households 55 respondents provided feedback completing 5 representatives from benchmark against other Local Government Areas. Council interviewed comprising a survey and using an interactive tool on advocacy groups added extra questions to the consultation to inform the Draft provided feedback 1,000 individuals in Council’s website portal (Casey Conversations) Walk and Ride in Casey Strategy. The survey questions were total also posted on Casey’s portal for community engagement. Key Findings • Casey Conversation Portal: included a survey and an interactive tool to collect specific feedback within Casey. The For recreational trails our If a suitable path was Our community have ranked Council to promote online portal set up for community engagement received 55 community would prefer available our community the following local services campaigns that encourage

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