By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA Ranges Council has fast-tracked a new footpath for a Coldstream road after residents got together to vote and lobby for high-priority projects.
On Wednesday, 16 March, the council announced it would be constructing a $120,000 footpath in Welten Drive, Coldstream, finding surplus funds in its budget.
Ryrie Ward councillor, Fiona McAllister, said the road was identified by Coldstream Voice’s walkability team as a priority for a footpath, with blind corners and an incline on the road.
The project was slated for next year’s capital works, but extra funds meant the council was able to fast-track the path.
“There were some projects that came in under budget, and our contractor was able to do it earlier – it was kind of the perfect storm that allowed it to happen early,” she said.
“When the playground’s finished, with this, it’ll be great for people that live on this side of Coldstream.”
Walkability team members, Sean Bethell and Morris Maxwell, said that roads without footpaths were all compiled with photos, and members ranked them in terms of importance.
Welten Drive, Station Street, Maroondah Highway and Ingram Road were all chosen as high-priority for paths to be built.
Coldstream Voice president, Liz Howell, said the path would help elderly residents who used mobility scooters, and currently had to use the road.
She said the group’s relationship with the council meant that projects getting underway in town were ones chosen by the community.
“I think the relationship that Coldstream Voice has built up with the council in the last 18 months, roughly, that we’ve been going, has been outstanding,” she said.
“Once communication is open, the council can work with us to identify what the community want.
“The two major things that are happening at the moment – this and the playground – were both things that the community was really involved in and helped happen. We’re very happy.”
Construction of the path is set to begin next month.
