Overview

Council has obtained a Walking Local Government Grant from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to fund the development of a Walking Network Plan for:

• Oakey
• Toowoomba
• Highfields

Walking network plans aim to create better places to walk, making active transport a more attractive and accessible choice.

The plans identify key destinations at each location and aim to improve the connectivity, legibility and accessibility of walking routes between these places.

These walking network plans will inform future priority works programs which will identify locations for new and upgraded footpaths, safe crossings and the need for supporting measures such as shade trees, lighting and seating.

These projects are proudly funded in part (50%) by the Queensland Government’s Walking Local Government Grants Program.

How were the plans developed?

Each Walking Network Plan was developed by active transport specialists, in consultation with local community, advisory and interest groups.

In line with the Department of Transport and Main Roads approach to planning for walking, a series of community workshops and pop-up engagement activities as well as walking route audits were conducted for each location.

TRC's Regional Active & Public Transport Advisory Committee (RAPTAC), Regional Access & Disability Advisory Committee (RADAC) and other local interest groups were invited to the workshops to help guide the development of each plan.

Primary and secondary destinations and routes

When viewing the walking network plans, the following information will help to explain the difference between primary and secondary destinations and routes:

The primary destination is likely to be the ‘heart’ of the shopping strip, where there is a substantial amount of pedestrian movement. It may be anchored by a major retail destination, specialty shopping precinct or community service facility. In some centres, the primary destination may be co-located with a major transport hub such as a railway station or bus interchange, which generate significant trips.

Secondary destinations have the potential to generate a significant number of trips to or from the primary destination(s) and include areas of employment, Industrial land uses, offices, tertiary education facilities, secondary schools, hospitals, community facilities, libraries, and regional recreation facilities.

Pedestrians should be able to access primary routes within 200 metres walk of each dwelling, which can increase or decrease depending on the density of development. Routes should head towards the primary destination. Routes should include those that are known to be popular for walking to and from the primary destination.

Secondary routes connect areas of higher population density and propensity to walk to the primary routes, and typically act as feeder routes from local neighbourhoods.

Source: Guidelines for developing Principal Pedestrian Networks (2015)