Armidale Regional Council Active Transport Strategy Workshop

On 14 August the Castledoyle Cycleway project committee was invited to a workshop conducted by ARC to seek input for their Active Transport Strategy currently being undertaken. John Willoughby and Peter Sniekers attended the half day workshop on behalf of the Castledoyle Cycleway project.

Chair John Willoughby presented the Castledoyle project to the audience which comprised Councillors, other community representatives, Council staff and the consultants undertaking the strategy process.

Most of the input from other community representatives was around the lack of active transport facilities and signage etc in and around Armidale, as well as the lack of regular maintenance of existing cycling infrastructure and pathways.

Our committee was the only group to present a new project for the consultants’ and Council’s consideration and was very well received, given that the Castledoyle precinct was identified for potential future cycling corridor development in Council’s Cycling Strategy of 2012.

The Active Transport Strategy will outline a series of initiatives to make active transport, such as walking (including the use of mobility scooters), cycling and scootering more accessible and safer for all users in the community. The consultants have run a series of workshops and site visits around the Armidale region and have sought community input by way of an online survey and interactive map, both which closed on 24 August.

The consultants are now preparing a draft Strategy for release and feedback during some time in September / October, with the final Strategy expected to be finalised by the end of 2023.