Taking the next step to a walkable city - Walking Strategy 2023/2023 endorsed

With limited capacity to expand the road network, there is a need for increased investment in alternative transport modes, including public and active transportation, to meet the needs of our growing City.

Walking is a key component to almost all trips that we make. Walking can form the entire journey between destinations, a segment, or form the start and/or end of connections to other forms of transport.

The Maribyrnong Walking Strategy 2023/33 (the Strategy) was endorsed by Council at the 22 August 2023 City Development Delegated Commitee meeting.

The Strategy acknowledges that the pedestrian experience in the City is often impacted by traffic and trucks, and the condition of our streets. A key driver of the Strategy is facilitating a safe, inclusive, and attractive pedestrian experience that will ensure that walking becomes more accessible and safer for all.

Along with setting the direction and vision for a more walkable Maribyrnong, the Strategy outlines 20 key actions including determining opportunities for future capital works to provide the improved infrastructure our community is seeking.

You can read about how the community helped shape the Walking Strategy below.

If you have any questions, please email the Active Transport Team: CD@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

How your input shaped the Walking Strategy

Following an initial conversation with the community in early 2023, the draft Walking Strategy was informed by feedback from more than 800 residents – of which 70% told us they walk daily, either for recreation or to get to places or for recreation.

But, you also identified a number of things you felt Council could do to make this a more pleasant experience – including providing more canopy cover and improved pedestrian infrastructure.

In July, we invited the community to review the draft Walking Strategy and provide their feedback. Based on this feedback, along with internal workshops and specialist advice, the Walking Strategy sets out 20 key actions we believe will pave the way for a pedestrian network that offers a safer, more inclusive and enjoyable experience, in line with what you have told us you are looking for.

These actions support five key objectives:

❔Background

Why did Council create a new Walking Strategy?

The existing network of footpaths and shared paths across the City is informed by the 2011 Walking Strategy. As we welcome a growing number of residents while also balancing a transition to net-zero green-house gas emissions, Council is looking to update this document to better reflect contemporary needs.

It's important the City's pedestrian network is accessible to all, of high quality, and accommodates and encourages members of our community, regardless of age and ability, to walk more often and to more destinations.

The new Walking Strategy will deliver a clear vision and accountable actions to guide improvements to the pedestrian network to support more people to walk more often. The Strategy will also support other Council commitments, including the Council Plan (2021-25), the Maribyrnong Climate Emergency Strategy (2020-25) and the Maribyrnong Integrated Transport Strategy (2012) (see document library).

💬Phase 1 - engagement

Community engagement

From February to March 2023, we asked our community to share with us why they walked, how often, and if there were any barriers to walking or walking more often, and any ideas they might have to address barriers they identified.

We heard from more than 800 residents, whose feedback has helped inform the development of the draft Walking Strategy.

We learnt the majority of respondents walk on a daily basis as a means of both recreation and transport. We’ve summarised what we heard below.

How your voice shaped the Walking Strategy

The slides below highlight how the community voice has helped influence some of the proposed actions within each theme.

Walking challenges

Your ideas to improve walking

💬Phase 2 - Engagement

From Monday 5 June to Sunday 2 July 2023, we shared the Draft Walking Strategy with the community for feedback. 35 contributions were received via an online questionnaire. In addition, 90 people attended three in-person events held at the Maidstone Community Centre, Pipemakers Park and the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre.

Overall, the draft Strategy was well received. When asked "Overall, how well do you think we have addressed the barriers identified which largely relate to the current infrastructure and walking environment (shade, seating, water, lighting, uncontrolled dogs, proximity to fast-moving traffic, poorly maintained footpaths, not enough crossings, accessibility)." respondents to the questionnaire rated the Strategy at 3.95 out of 5 stars.

The full Engagement Summary Report is available in the Documents Library.

💡Learn more

Learn more about the benefits of walkable cities and the concept of 20 minute neighbourhoods in the videos below.

Walkable Cities

20-minute neighbourhood

Why Walk?