Well-being and better connections drive Lake Mac walking and cycling vision

Lake Macquarie City Council’s draft Walking, Cycling and Better Streets Strategy sets a path for more people in Lake Mac to walk and cycle safely.

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The draft Strategy is now on public exhibition and Council is seeking feedback from the community on its vision to improve local active transport connections to make walking and cycling around the City easier and safer.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser recognises the importance of addressing the need for better, safer walking and cycling infrastructure, particularly as Lake Macquarie City grows.

“Wouldn’t it be great if instead of jumping in the car to go to work or do the shopping, we could walk or cycle to where we need to go? Through this walking and cycling strategy, we see our City as a place where walking and cycling is easy, safe and is part of our daily life,” Cr Fraser said.

The draft plan is structured on a set of guiding principles that aim to improve walking and cycling appeal, to involve people in the decision-making processes, to embrace new innovative ways to deliver better experiences, and be more responsive to our changing City.

Council’s Manager Assets Management Brendan Callander said the strategy will assist in the planning, prioritising and delivery of high-benefit projects across the City.

“Our consultation data shows us that almost a quarter of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a local centre and that more people would ride their bike if safer cycling infrastructure was available. We are all pedestrians at some point, so this is the basis of our six focus areas that will help us identify future walking and cycling priority projects,” Mr Callander said.

“With Lake Macquarie City continuing to grow it is a challenge to meet the needs of all our residents, but with safer, better planned infrastructure, walking and cycling can become people’s preferred choice of transport.”

The draft Walking, Cycling and Better Streets Strategy six key focus areas include:

· Principal pedestrian networks

· A 250km principal bicycle network

· Neighbourhood shared paths and streets

· Active travel to schools and road safety

· Bus stops and multi-modal travel

· Other city-wide improvements

The draft Walking, Cycling and Better Streets Strategy is on public exhibition until Tuesday 30 March 2021. Visit shape.lakemac.com.au/walking-cycling to review the strategy and provide feedback.