September 21st, 2023Input invited on Hepburn shire transport future

The Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging its residents to complete a survey on how they travel around the shire and to provide their own ideas for improving local transport options.

The work is part of the council’s strategic planning project Future Hepburn, and input will help to inform the development of a ten-year Integrated Transport Strategy. 

“We know that transport is a major issue in our Shire. Good transport is critical to liveability, both for Shire residents and the thousands of visitors who come to our Shire each year,” said Mayor, Cr Brian Hood.

The council’s Integrated Transport Strategy seeks to ensure that the most vulnerable users of transport are prioritised. It will cover recreational needs such as walking and cycling trails and will help to shape the council’s priorities and actions through the annual road works program and lobbying for further support from other levels of government.

“Our survey on transport is now open and we need to hear from the community. We want to understand how people get around the Shire, any transport modes that people would like to use but don’t, barriers to accessing transport, improvement ideas and more,” said Cr Hood.

“Our Transport Discussion Paper outlines the current transport needs and challenges facing our Shire, along with suggestions on how these may be addressed. Issues include public safety, footpaths and trails of varying condition, limited public transport network, signage, parking and more,” he said.

“Currently, car travel is the main method of movement around the Shire, resulting in emissions and high transport costs for households in an area with an older population with relatively low income.”

Those interested are being invited to complete a survey by Sunday 22 October at Participate Hepburn.

“Your feedback will help to inform the draft Integrated Transport Strategy, which will be released for public review in early 2024,” said Cr Hood.