Ocean Grove’s proposed footpath network delayed two years

The delivery of a footpath network in a Bellarine town will be delayed by two years, leaving residents who were forced to stump up for the project furious.

Brian Golland is annoyed with council's footpath project. Picture: Alison Wynd

The delivery of a footpath network in a Bellarine town will be delayed by two years, leaving residents who were forced to stump up for the project furious.

The City of Greater Geelong council in February 2022 voted to construct a network of footpaths in Ocean Grove worth more than $6.5m, to be delivered by June 2026.

Ocean Grove residents would stump up almost half of the project, dubbed the Ocean Grove Principal Pedestrian Network, through a special rates and charge scheme, totalling about $3m.

Acting executive director of city infrastructure Shaun Nuttall said on Tuesday the project would not be delivered until 2028.

“We are continuing to work towards the successful delivery of the Ocean Grove Principal Pedestrian Network,” Mr Nuttall said.

“All three stages are being worked on simultaneously with the City committed to delivering this project by 2028 as stated in the declared special rates and charges scheme.

“The construction of the footpath network remains ongoing.

Map of new footpaths in Ocean Grove.

The City is actively engaged in advancing the footpath network.

The project was originally slated to be completed in three separate stages by June 2024, 2025 and 2026 respectively.

According to the city’s website, eight sections of footpaths have been completed, with 42 still to be done.

The delay has left Ocean Grove resident Brian Golland, who has been following the progress of the project closely since it was first put to residents in 2021, furious.

“This is typical Geelong, quite frankly,” Mr Golland said.

Brian Golland is annoyed with council's footpath project. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I don’t know where the governance comes from, we’ve had discussions with management for over three years and we’ve got nothing out of it, they never put anything in writing.

“They just can’t answer the questions.”

On top of his rates, Mr Golland has contributed more than $300 towards the pedestrian network.

Mr Nuttall said “during the detailed design phase, accessibility constraints for all abilities were identified”.

“The City is actively addressing these to ensure the pedestrian network meets its intended purpose.”

“Consequently, the order of construction works has been adjusted while final design plans are being completed.

“Design plans necessary for future construction are currently being developed.

“We will be market testing construction costs for the next stages of construction to ensure we continue to deliver the project cost effectively.”

Council’s website still lists the delivery date as June 2026.

The footpath project officially began in 2019 with impacted property owners being invited in December to have their say in a survey.

The footpaths aim to provide an accessible network in the “old” Ocean Grove and Collendina areas.

The plan would see 24.3km of new pathways delivered upon completion.

“We thank Ocean Grove and Collendina residents for their patience during construction and for treating our crews with respect,” the City’s website reads.

Originally published as Ocean Grove’s proposed footpath network delayed two years