Greens pledge $140 million plan to build and maintain paths

The ACT Greens have announced a $140 million election plan to build new paths and keep existing ones in good order, including establishing a new team within government to cover all path maintenance.

The current junior partner in government says it will dedicate $20 million every year to new paths and connections and boost investment in path maintenance to $15 million every year, up from the current $5 million to $6.5 million.

Greens MLA and candidate for Ginninderra Jo Clay said the plan would deliver a rolling maintenance and audit program that sets a timeframe of six months for repairs, up from the current 18-plus month wait time.

She welcomed the government’s partial insourcing of path maintenance but said this core public service work should be delivered quickly and routinely by public employees.

“We will establish an ACT Government path maintenance team to fully insource all maintenance,” she said.

“This will ensure we aren’t relying on private contractor capacity for basic repairs.”

The government has allocated $5.81 million over four years to establish a new crew to replace sections of concrete paths that are at the end-of-life and are trip hazards for pedestrians and runners instead of hiring contractors.

Greens candidate for Brindabella, Sam Nugent, who has multiple sclerosis, said better paths were needed for Canberra to be a disability-friendly city.

“As a person with MS, I have to allow additional time to investigate the safety of paths around places I need to go, including my workplace, to ensure the safest walking routes,” she said.

“This process is time-consuming but is a self-management practice common for people with disability.

“I have heard from those in the disability community that many fear leaving their home because of unsafe paths between home and their local shops. This becomes a barrier to independent shopping, socialising and access to public transport, and increases their isolation.”

Ms Nugent said accessible and well-maintained paths were a simple but frequently forgotten solution for people with a disability or mobility challenges.

She said unmaintained paths could damage mobility aides, wheelchairs or supportive equipment, depriving people of independence and causing stress and increased expenses for people just trying to live an everyday life.

“The ACT Greens plan is about supporting independence and creating communities where people are connected, regardless of their abilities,” said Ms Nugent.

Ms Clay said the ACT’s path network was not up to scratch and had many missing connections.

“When I’m out doorknocking, one of the most common things I hear is that our city needs better paths,” she said.

“Whether you’re walking, riding, pushing a pram or in a wheelchair, you should be able to get to your local shops or bus stop safely and conveniently.”

Ms Clay said the Greens would also invest in more raised crossings and crossing supervisors at schools so more families could walk or ride to school safely.

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said that despite his party’s best efforts, footpaths had not been a priority for the government.

“The ACT Greens want Canberra to be a place where people are connected within their neighbourhoods and can get around safely and easily,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“In order to achieve that, we need a network of well-connected, well-maintained footpaths so that people can get from A to B without the challenges of navigating cracked and uneven paths or big gaps in the path network.

“The ACT Greens plan will make footpaths a priority and make walking and cycling a genuine option for more Canberrans.”

Canberrans go to the polls on 19 October.