How does Council decide how much to spend renewing footpaths?

    Through a combination of formal audits, customer requests received and internal analysis, a number of high priority footpaths are identified for renewal each year. When we undertake this work we take into account the location, usage, connectivity, condition and typical useful life of a footpath. How many paths we have and what the useful life of a footpath is assumed to be. This then guides us as to how much we need to spend each year to renew them.

    How does Council decide which footpaths to repair or renew?

    Council aims to undertake condition audits on footpaths every 4 years. This produces a score of the condition across the network, helping prioritise the worst condition paths and which need replacement.

    How does Council decide which footpaths are upgraded?

    Sometimes a pathway is identified to be below the standard we would ideally want to have and at the time of renewing it is brought up to the current level of service. Desirably we want to lift the level of service for high pedestrian usage footpaths in townships to provide durable, sealed paths preferably constructed in concrete if in keeping with the existing footpaths. (e.g. gravel replaced with concrete).

    How does Council decide what roads and intersections are upgraded?

    Council monitors traffic volumes and also undertakes modelling of the road network to predict where intersections and roads need improvement or upgrade to cater for increased traffic numbers. Another metric is accident rates and this is used as a guide of when road safety improvements are needed. In regards to DPTI roads and intersections, MBDC always seeks a collaborative and proactive relationship in regards to these, lobbying for ones that are a priority for our community and seeking partnerships where possible.