Bicycle Network: Directory

Colac Otway sees bikes as key to health

15 May 2013. Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking comment on a new Active Transport Strategy seeks to encourage greater activity amongst shire residents. A highlight is the possible completion of the Tiger Rail Trail from Forrest to Birregurra.

The ten year strategy aims to get more people walking and cycling as a form of transport and recreation by creating a physically and socially supportive environment for walking and cycling across the shire, according to council CEO Rob Small.

“Walking and cycling offer significant economic, environmental, social and health benefits for the Colac Otway Shire, which like most municipalities is facing increasing problems and costs related to congestion, accidents, loss of amenity and space, noise, obesity and heart disease as well as increased energy consumption,” he said.

The strategy supports three overarching goals – healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy economy.

The development of the strategy is based on a behavioural change framework, which has the benefit of having broader consideration of the physical, social, individual and political factors that ultimately influence people’s decision to walk or ride their bikes.

Within the strategy an incremental approach is proposed, where the community is encouraged and enabled to gradually increase its participation in walking and cycling by replacing some of the local trips they normally take by car.

“The development of walking and cycling networks and associated facilities has focused on enhancing access to key local destinations, including schools, shopping strips, parks and train stations.”

The presence of footpaths, connectivity or the lack of in some areas were some of the key findings made by strategy researchers.

Researchers also found that the three motivators for existing walkers were health and well-being/general fitness; fun and enjoyment and relaxation and stress release.

Colac-Otway draft Budget 2013/14 available for public comment

16 May 2013. Colac-Otway Council's draft Budget 2013/14 is available for public comment until 14th June 2013, see council website here.

As a ratepayer and rider in the Shire of Colac-Otway now is the time for council to hear from you if you want more funding to improve the Colac-Otway riding environment. We encourage you to make a submission to council.

Bicycle Network's own budget submission to Colac-Otway Council is available here.

Bicycle Network Victoria needs your membership support to continue to campaign for improving riding conditions for all riders. Become a member and receive crash cover and support, rider information and deals and help improve riding conditions.

Colac-Otway riders - drafting of council Budget 2013/14 underway

05 March 2013. As you read this Council is preparing its draft 2013/14 Budget. The time to act is now for more bike infrastructure funding!

As a ratepayer and rider now is the time for Council to hear from you if you want more funding to improve the local riding environment.

Click here to tell your Council to invest in bike infrastructure (E-mail contact for Council provided) in the 2013/14 Budget.

Bicycle Expenditure Index (BiXE) 2012

17 November 2012. The Shire of Colac Otway’s BiXE rating for 2012 is $3.39. This is below the Regional Zone council average for 2012, which is $6.47. This is based upon council spending of $75,000 and population of 22,108.

Relevant bicycle related investment for the 2012/2013 financial year includes but is not necessarily limited to expenditure upon the following projects/programs:
• Shared-pathway maintenance and improvements
• Contribution to Active Transport Strategy

Additional spending sourced from external grants and funds may apply, but that is outside the scope of BiXE reporting.

The Shire of Colac Otway was one of the Regional Zone councils added for the first time in 2011. Insufficient data is available to determine a five-year BiXE average.

See full BiXE report available here.

Old Beechy Rail Trail

Jun 05. The Old Beechy Rail Trail follows the old railway line between Colac and Crowes in the Otway Ranges. The Shire believes that the creation of the rail trail will boost tourism visitation to the Otways Region as well as being a valuable recreational facility for the community.

For details on which sections you can ride and updates on progress see links (right)

Apollo Bay to Skenes Creek Trail

Mar 04. Plans are underway for a new 7.8km off-road shared path along the Great Ocean Rd between Apollo Bay and Skenes Creek. A preliminary alignment has been chosen for the path, which will mainly follow the sewerage pipeline being installed by Barwon Water.

Barwon Water will construct 1.2km of path in conjunction with the sewer main installation. Funding has been secured to construct the first section between Apollo Bay and Wild Dog Creek.

The Apollo Bay-Kennet River Public Reserves Committee will be seeking funding to complete the remaining 4.5km of trail between Wild Dog Creek and Skenes Creek. This section has some engineering hurdles to overcome.

Bicycle Network Victoria will be monitoring the progress and ensuring that the path is built to a good quality standard.