Wombat City Council
Walkability Balanced Score Sheet
Council:
Wombat City
Manager:
Date:
Department:
Brian Wombat
Group Manager Transport
6 mth follow up date:
X
What is ‘walkability’?
In this document, the term ‘walkability’ is used to describe the broad suite of actions that a council would ideally
undertake to promote walking in their area. This includes policy, infrastructure (eg footpaths); strong
consideration in road management, town planning and open space management; and behaviour change
programmes.
Rating performance
 = yes
(score 1)
X = no
(score 0)
 X = to some extent / not sure
(score 0.5)
NA = not applicable
(score 0)
Walking policy
Broadly outlines why asset management is relevant and what needs to be done in a particular organisation
1.
Does Council have an adopted Walking Policy or strategy?

2.
If not, is one planned?
X
3.
Does the Council have an integrated transport policy that specifically addresses
walkability?
X
4.
Does the Policy integrate walkability with the organisations other policies and business
processes (eg Municipal Strategic Statement, road upgrades)?
5.
Does the Policy define the Council’s vision and goals for walkability?

6.
Does the policy address all of the key aspects of walkability?
X
7.
Does the policy identify clear actions and funding requirements?
X
8.
To what extent has implementation of the walking strategy been funded as planned
(estimate percentage)?
20%
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X
Overall Score
3
Background questions
9.
What part of the Council prepared the strategy/policy?
10.
Does the strategy have a particular focus, eg transport, recreation or
health?
11.
What council divisions have shown a strong interest in promoting
walking?
Comments

eg Open space planning
eg recreation
eg planning, engineering,
recreation
Eg. walking is addressed in councils Active Transport Policy, but the main focus is cycling and the walking
aspects are mostly focused on recreation
Network planning
More detailed planning of specific walking routes and networks, which could be open space based or may be
focused on walking for transport, either in specific areas (eg an activity centre) or across the municipality. See
for example the Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN) methodology.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Does Council have a network plan for recreational walking eg open space trails?
Does Council have a network plan for transport walking eg PPN?
Has recreational and transport walking network planning been integrated?
Do network plans apply only to specific areas or do they cover the whole municipality?
Does the network plan identify necessary changes to road management eg traffic light
phasing?
Did the network planning include auditing of the walkability of key routes?
Did the network plan involve identification of key walking destinations eg schools, public
transport, shopping centres, offices?
Did the network plan involve mapping/modelling of existing and proposed residential density to
determine potential numbers of walkers?
Have the network plan(s) been communicated to the community?
Does the network plan link with Council’s other strategies and procedures eg capital works
programme?
Do the networks plan(s) identify clear actions and funding requirements?
X

X
X

X

X

X
X
NA
Has implementation of the network plan(s) been funded as planned?
X
Where applicable, has the network plan been incorporated into VicRoads policy and decision
making (eg Network Operating Plans)?
Overall Score
6
Comments
 Eg. Have identified key routes for Smithfield town centre, although didn’t consider residential density.
12.
13.
Road design and management
Design and management of intersections, allocation of road space, crossings.
X
1.
Do council procedures incorporate good walking infrastructure into the planning, design and
construction of road upgrades?
2.
Does council regularly measure pedestrian activity at key points in the street network?
X
3.
Does council otherwise measure pedestrian activity to understand the role of walking in local
transport eg surveys?

4.
Does council have a programme of introducing 30 or 40 kmph speed limits in high pedestrian
areas and residential streets?
X
5.
Does council have an ongoing programme to introduce traffic calming design eg kerb
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X
outstands?
6.
Is it council practice to allow planting of trees and gardens in the nature strip?
X
7.
Does council routinely provide (or promote to VicRoads) additional provision for pedestrians in
the design and review of traffic light phasing (eg late introduction, increased clearance time)?
NA
8.
Does council avoid constructing new roundabouts, or provide raised crossings on pedestrian
desire lines when constructing them?
X
9.
Does council avoid constructing new slip lanes?
10.
In high pedestrian areas such as shopping centres, has council measured pedestrian
comfort/crowding to determine whether additional footpath or pedestrian space is required?
11.
Has the council undertaken projects where roadway or car parking spaces have been
converted to pedestrian space?
X
12.
Does the council undertake auditing of the walkability of areas, particularly around key
destinations such as activity centres, retirement villages, schools?
X
Overall Score


5.5
Comments


Eg. would like to avoid new slip lanes but VicRoads requires them on arterial roads
Eg. in practice we don’t build roundabouts, but don’t have a formal policy
Walking asset management
Proactive asset management of infrastructure that supports walking such as footpaths, shared paths, pram
ramps, crossings, wayfinding signage, seating, rubbish bins, public toilets, street lights.
1.
Is pedestrian infrastructure incorporated into council’s asset management system?
2.
Is there ongoing funding to maintain pedestrian infrastructure?
3.
Is there ongoing funding for upgrading of pedestrian infrastructure?
4.
Is there an ongoing programme for reviewing, upgrading and expanding the network of
pedestrian crossings?
5.
Does council provide wayfinding signage for pedestrians?
6.
Do council officers inspect footpaths in high pedestrian areas to identify and clear obstructions
eg freestanding signs, inappropriately located café seating?
7.
Do council parking inspectors ensure vehicles do not block footpaths?
8.
Are public toilets provided in all shopping areas?
X
X
X
X


X
X
Overall Rating
3.5
Comments

Eg. Footpaths and rubbish bins not in the asset management register.
Land use planning
Incorporation of walkability into land use policy, practice and procedures.
X
1.
Are there policies to support walking in the Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS)?
2.
Is there a local policy that encourages pedestrian oriented design?
3.
Is a high level of street connectivity and pedestrian connection required in all major
subdivisions? Are cul-de-sacs avoided where possible?
4.
Has the council introduced planning controls that support higher density development around
activity centres?
X
5.
Has the council introduced planning controls that support higher density development around
train stations and tram stops?
NA
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X
X
X
6.
Does council policy and practice require retail and office development to be designed with
walking as the preferred mode of access, with car parking largely concealed (eg rooftop or
underground)?
7.
Are there policies that seek to avoid out-of-centre office and retail development?
8.
Are applications for waiver or reduction of car parking routinely approved?


9.
Are applications for waiver or removal of car parking actively encouraged?
X
10.
Are footpaths required on both sides of new roads?
11.
Is there a local policy to avoid high front fencing?

12.
Is it council policy to minimise vehicle crossings of footpaths?

13.
Is pedestrian infrastructure including pram ramps, crossings, seating, required in major
developments and subdivision?
X
Comments

X
Overall Rating
6
Eg Don’t have a stand alone policy on front fencing, but our practice is to ensure it is avoided in medium
density housing development.
Recreation, open space and facilities management
Design of open space, consideration in recreation activities, promotion of walking to access facilities.
1.
Is there a programme for ongoing maintenance of street trees?
2.
Is there a programme for ongoing expansion of street tree planting?
3.
Is walking provided for as the preferred mode of transport to new or upgraded council facilities
eg playgrounds, recreation centres, pools, council offices?
4.
Is there ongoing funding for upgrade and development of parkland?
5.
Do recreational and open space policies and strategies recognise and adequately provide for
walking as the most popular form of exercise (particularly for seniors)?


X
X
Overall Rating

3.5
Comments

Eg. No ongoing budget for parks development, only ad hoc funding of individual proposals.
Behaviour change
Programmes to promote walking in the community or within council.
1.
Is local walking group development encouraged and facilitated?
2.
Does council undertake or facilitate walking programmes targeted to seniors?


3.
Does council facilitate walk to school programmes?
X
4.
Does council undertake programmes to promote walking in workplace contexts?
5.
Is there regular training for relevant council staff (eg traffic engineers, open space planners) in
promoting walking as part of their work?
6.
Does council have a travel plan or other internal policy that encourages walking by employees,
either to work or as part of their work (this may include policies that favour use of public
transport)?
X
Overall Rating
Comments

Eg Support walk to school day, but nothing targeted at daily travel. Arterial roads a major barrier for
walking to some schools, eg St Cuthberts
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

4.5
KEY RISK MANAGEMENT ISSUES
1. Lack of staff resources
2. Accurate determination of walkability funding requirements and ability to meet commitments.
3. Quality of footpaths generally unknown.
4. Broaden walkability “ownership” across the organisation and maintaining momentum (more cross
functional, multi disciplinary approach).
5. Capture and identification of meaningful data on walking.
6. Perception of walking as mainly a recreational issue. Recreation department focused on organised sport.
7. Difficulty in getting VicRoads to consider traffic light phasing.
8. Councillor perception that walking is not important because everybody drives.
9. Customer complaints enquiries not recorded in a way that enables identification of priorities.
10. Promoting walking to school, but don’t have a programme that audits the environment around schools to
determine whether walking is safe/convenient.
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Goals for 6 months June 2014
Goal
Measure
Progress @ 6
month Review
1. Secure funding to prepare a walking strategy
Allocation in draft
2014/15 budget
2. Work with internal stakeholders to develop a walking
network plan for Smithfield town centre, to coordinate with
railway station upgrade
3. Design an ongoing programme to measure walking activity
Audit complete by
December 2013
4. Incorporate footpaths into asset management system
Undertake condition
audit by January
2014
5. Ensure walkable catchments around activity centres and
PT stops are reflected in the application of new residential
zones
Get GIS to map
walkable catchments
by December 2013
Programme
designed by October
2013
Long term goals for 2 years to June 2015
Goal
Measure
1. Prepare Walking Strategy
2. Walking Network Plan complete
Progress @ 6 month Review
Walking Strategy developed and
complete in 14/15 year.
Complete by June 2015
This document represents an agreement to the above commitment to Walkability Management.
Responsible Officer:
Bill Smith
Director Transport Management
Date:
CEO:
Date:
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Horace Grant
Chief Executive
Appendix A
Walkability Balanced Score Sheet
Topic
Score
Optimum score
Walking policy
3
6
Network planning
6
13
Road design and management
5.5
12
Walking asset management
3.5
8
6
13
Recreation, open space and facilities management
3.5
5
Behaviour change
4.5
6
Total
32
63
Land use planning
Response
 45 points
30 – 45
20 – 30
12 – 20
7 – 12
< 7 points
Score
A
B
C
D
E
F
Overall Walkability rating for Wombat City Council
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B