Hobsons Bay council has deferred a decision on a proposed new pathway in Spotswood due to confusion over whether it should be shared by cyclists and pedestrians or if separate paths should be built for both.
At a meeting on July 29, council officers recommended a shared path be built along along the southern side of Birmingham Street as part of the nearby Spotswood Yards development.
The recommendation was made in response to a petition from Spotswood based community organisation, Better West, demanding separate cycling and walking paths be constructed as was originally proposed.
Despite being regularly used by parents and students heading to Spotwood Primary School, commuters going to Spotswood station and cyclists riding to the city, Birmingham Street only has a pathway on its northern side.
In its petition tabled at a council meeting in March, Better West argued that a shared pathway would put the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
Instead council officers recommended a 3.5 metre wide shared pathway be built as it would be significantly cheaper than the projected $1.2 million cost of separated paths.
Council infrastructure and city services director Matthew Irving said traffic issues and the presence of underground gas lines meant building separated paths would require modifications to the kerb and road area.
“The shared pathway project does not require those aspects to be delivered,” Mr Irving said.
This didn’t convince deputy mayor Rayane Hawli and Cr Kristin Bishop, who questioned Mr Irving about why there was such a difference in cost when diagrams showed both proposals to had the same footprint.
Having earlier said she didn’t understand one of Mr Irving’s answers, Cr Bishop finally moved an alternate motion to defer the vote, arguing councillors needed more time to delve into the details before making a decision.
The alternative motion was carried unanimously, an outcome which pleased Better West secretary Rowena Joske.
“It’s good to see a new group of councillors questioning the information put in front of them,” Ms Joske said.
The next meeting of Hobsons Bay council is on August 26.
