Gladstone Regional Council—planning to identify priority walking infrastructure

Our draft guidance for developing walking network plans was piloted with 3 local governments in 2020–21.

We partnered with the Gladstone Regional Council to deliver a walking network plan (WNP) and walking-focused program of works for the Gladstone central business district (CBD).

The plan identified key walking routes within a 2km radius from the CBD to:

• residential areas
• schools
• shopping centres
• hospital
• community and recreational facilities.

Prioritising actions

Stakeholder engagement provided useful feedback about:

• where local people currently walk
• where they want to walk
• where are the gaps.

For example, participants identified hills as a key barrier for some proposed routes. This feedback was included in the endorsed WNP.

The guidance tools supported council to:

• identify infrastructure and initiatives to implement the plan
• prioritise actions as Essential or Important.

The council prioritised building a shared path along the link on Tank Street, from Central Lane to Glenlyon Road. This 106m path will connect central facilities including Apex Park, Rigby Park, Gladstone Aquatic Centre, other sports facilities and Gladstone State High School.

The council collaborated with Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) to identify a set of works to improve the walking connection between the East Shores cruise ship terminal and the main street.

Infrastructure to address this gap will be delivered in stages and coordinated with other planned works in this area. This will enable better outcomes for walking and value for money.

The council constructed these priority works with a $150,000 grant from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

Caption - Completed walking link connecting the city centre with the East Shores Precinct (image courtesy of Gladstone Regional Council)

Insights and learnings

• After council endorsed the plan it easily changed from planning to delivery—the delivery and operations teams were involved early in the process.
• This helped council identify projects that could be implemented quickly.
• Including external stakeholders, such as Gladstone Ports Corporation, in the workshop promoted their engagement at the start of the process.
• The priority works program included in the WMP supported budget bids for ongoing implementation of a walkable environment.

Caption - Endorsed Walking Network Plan for Gladstone Regional Council

Feedback

Celisa Faulkner, Manager (Asset Planning), Gladstone Regional Council:

"Council officers can see the value the new guidance provides to the design of our communities. In particular, the workshop was beneficial with all the stakeholders involved bringing different perspectives and desires that were taken on board."

More information

• Walking network planning guidance
• Pedestrian and walking guidance and resources
• Queensland Walking Strategy