By Ethan Benedicto
Councillors during the Tuesday, 18 March meeting unanimously passed the endorsement and submission of three projects to the Growth Areas Infrastructure (GAIC) Fund.
These three projects included the Greaves Road Shared User Path, the Berwick-Cranbourne Road and Clyde-Five Ways Road Roundabout Shared User Path, and the Ballarto Road Footpath.
Manager of city and asset planning, Keri New started the conversation by saying that “all of these projects would support improved connectivity in these rapidly growing communities”.
They have a combined value of $1.2 million, and the council is seeking to match the funding of $636,350 from the program.
The motion was well met, with a number of councillors speaking out in support of the initiative.
Cr Dave Perry was the first mover, who later added that despite the projects not being in his ward, “it’s a really important thing to be building across Casey”.
Cr Shane Taylor, who seconded the motion, also spoke, saying that he “fully supported” it.
Cr Michelle Crowther added that as the representative of the Cranbourne Gardens Ward, she would like to “show support” to the project in her catchment.
“There are a lot of challenges where we’ve for rural roads, but around it is becoming suburbia, this is one of them,” she said.
Mayor Stefan Koomen was the last to speak on the motion, touching on the “common theme” of shared user paths and active transport.
He also added that being Mayor and travelling across Casey, it became clearer that there was a strong connection between the two factors.
“Roads are a big part of it, but I’ve spoken to a lot of families who, particularly in our growth areas, want to have that ability to walk to places,” he said.
“So I’m hoping that we’ll be successful in these applications and it’s an important part of improving our accessibility in our community.”
With his full support behind the motion, it was passed with all 12 councillors in favour.
Specifically speaking, the Greaves Road Shared User path in Akoonah Ward will see 650 metres of said shared path between Liara Boulevard and Domain Drive.
This includes a safer walking and cycling route along a 70km/h road.
The estimated cost is $493,350, split evenly between the council and GAIC at $246,675.
As for the Berwick-Cranbourne Road and Clyde-Five Ways Roundabout’s shared user path, this too, will see 800 metres of a shared path network around the roundabout, also improving cyclist and pedestrian safety.
This, however, requires private land consent for a small section of the roundabout.
The estimated cost of this is $614,900, split evenly between the council and GAIC at $307,450.
The Ballarto Road Footpath in Cranbourne Gardens will see a 1.5-metre-wide footpath connecting Houlder Avenue and Riverwood Drive, featuring a safer pedestrian alternative on Ballarto Road.
The estimated cost for this project is $164,450 and will be split evenly between the council and GAIC at $82,225.
