Leeton Shire Council’s Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) has been placed on public exhibition for the community to give their feedback on.

PAMP was compiled by GHD Consultants, who spent four months completing a “comprehensive on-site analysis” of existing council infrastructure and current standards. 

Consultation was also undertaken with the community through surveys and workshops to determine problem areas. 

The plan is almost 200 pages long, but mayor Paul Maytom has his concerns. 

He told council’s most recent monthly meeting there were several important projects that had been identified as part of PAMP. 

“There are certainly many worthy projects included in there, but it’s going to cost millions of dollars to complete all of them,” councillor Maytom said.

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“Quite simply, we don’t have that kind of money. 

“To even finish around 80 per cent of these projects we would need millions of dollars. 

“It’s definitely a good report, but I don’t think we are going to get very far with the works identified unless we get a substantial amount of funding.”

However, council’s general manager Jackie Kruger said while the money wasn’t currently there, it was important to have the plan in place so when funding does become available much of the ground work has already been completed. 

There is also potential for works to be funded under the Roads and Maritime Services Active Transport program. 

However, this initiative would still require 50 per cent of the project cost to be covered by council.

Community member Jason Richardson addressed the recent meeting to outline his concerns about the plan, which centred on cycling. 

“Cycling was only mentioned (in PAMP) only in the form of ‘active leisure’,” he said. 

“I was a little bit concerned because cycling for more than 200 years now has been a form of transport.

“Cyclists have a legal right to be on the road.”

Mr Richardson was hopeful in years to come council may consider adding bike lanes to roadways in the shire.

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