Senior Canberrans will be able to travel around their neighbourhoods more easily with upgrades to footpaths across six suburbs beginning in coming months.
“We want to support and enable a healthy community environment that is accessible and inclusive of people at all stages of their lives, in particular our older Canberrans,” Minister Steel said.
The Age Friendly Suburbs Program is an ACT Government commitment to improve path network infrastructure and connectivity in suburbs where there are aged care and retirement facilities and a large proportion of suburban residents aged over 55 years.
In mid-2019 we consulted with the community on a number of priority improvements for the next six suburbs to receive funding:
- Narrabundah
- Isabella Plains
- Stirling
- Campbell
- Aranda
- Holt.
“Thank you to community members who had their say and told us what upgrades should be prioritised in their suburbs. It’s really great to hear from people so passionate about their local neighbourhood and what can be done to make life easier for residents making their way around their suburb.
Despite focusing on senior residents, the improvements made as part of the Age Friendly Suburbs Program benefit the wider community too.
Minister for Seniors and Member for Ginninderra Gordon Ramsay said he was pleased to see these upgrades making it easier for all Canberrans to get around.
“In Aranda some of the upgrades also focus on improving safety for children and those taking them to and from Aranda Primary School. The improvements include lowering the speed limit along Bandjalong Crescent and line marking for on-street parallel parking spaces,” Minister Ramsay said.
“In Holt we’re focusing on improvements around Hardwick Crescent and the Starke Street intersection to include new pedestrian refuges and a new path connection on Starke Street near the roundabout to establish a link to Kingsford Smith school. We are also installing an additional pedestrian refuge island on Luke Street near the Kippax Uniting Community Centre to provide another safe crossing option.
“These improvements not only encourage physical activity but also improve the wellbeing of our senior citizens.
The Program has been underway since mid-2015 with six suburbs having received upgrades so far – Weston, Ainslie, Monash, Kaleen, Page and Hughes.
Construction is expected to begin in coming months. The Government is also exploring options for pedestrian crossings on Abena Avenue in Crace and Goyder Street in Narrabundah in response to community feedback.
