Walking SA supports improvements that minimise potential conflict between road users and increases safety measures for the most vulnerable, pedestrian users. See our feedback and views on turns and slip lanes, ‘keep clear’ markings, pedestrian fencing and school speed zones and the role they play at the intersection of GOR, Kenilworth Road and Young Street.
Letters, Submissions & Responses
Opposing the Stirling/Mt Lofty Golf Resort Proposal
Walking SA has been active in bringing conservation concerns and amenity of trails to the fore. Most recently, with a submission in regard to a proposed development in the area adjacent to the Mt George Conservation Park and with potential to impact the Heysen Trail and National Trust Pioneer Women’s Trail.
Advocating for a Kakadu of the South Walking Trail in the South East Coastal Lakes proposal
The South East Coastal Lakes are made up of six lakes or bodies of seasonal water. Walking SA has responded to a Department for Environment and Water (DEW) proposal for options as to how the lakes should be managed.
Walking SA insists that the South East Coastal Lakes environment should be managed in a sustainable way for the respectful use and shared enjoyment of multiple user groups. Primacy should be given to low environmental and cultural impact uses. There should be a focus, not only on enhanced investment in walking trails around each of the major water assets but the strategic investment, in an iconic whole of South East Coastal Lakes walking trail, a Kakadu of the South walking trail. With walking affording a 13:1 return on investment there would be no better outlay.
Walking SA supports the Montgomerie Terrace Shared Use Path, Streaky Bay
Walking SA supports the funding application for the Montgomerie Terrace Shared Use Path Project proposed by Streaky Bay Council.
We support the project’s objectives to connect and link the east and west end of Streaky Bay, to connect and provide a safe shared use path to key community facilities, and providing a better outcome for all users by separating people walking and riding bikes from the heavier tourist and agricultural traffic on Wells Street.
Specifically, the project will create a main active transport link connecting the east and west of the town, and will provide a safe route for people walking and riding bikes to and from the school.
A clearer and more identifiable shared use path with suitably marked crossing points will improve the safety of people walking and riding bikes. It will also improve active and passive surveillance on the path with lighting and the direct nature of the connection, enabling more people to use it.
Personal Mobility Device (PMD) Use in South Australia
Walking SA welcomes the State Government’s review of the growing role of e-scooters and other small-wheeled electrically driven vehicles. The fact that scooters and skateboards can now be motorised has profoundly accelerated their use and their impact on our local footpaths. Walking SA has not formed a view on electrically driven personal mobility devices. We continue to assert that walking is the most sustainable and easiest of all mobility in our cities and that many of the trips taken by these devices would be better if walked. However, we recognise that sometimes PMDs replace car trips and can play a role in making public transport more viable.
Media enquiries
Sharon Kelsey, Executive Director Walking SA
sharon.kelsey@walkingsa.org.au Ph: 0457 006 620
SA Election: Vote with your feet
Download media release (PDF).
Walking SA has today written to all candidates in the upcoming election with a call to invest in our children and ensure we have Safe Streets to Schools.
All children should feel safe to walk and cycle to school, without risking being injured by vehicles.
It is completely unacceptable to have poor walking conditions, that do not consider children’s needs or incorporate design based on children’s abilities, within a 2km catchment of our primary schools.
Parents have no faith in the urban environment to keep their children safe, so they drive them to school, adding more cars to the roads and increasing school traffic.
The Government must make a commitment to active school travel and prioritise children’s health and wellbeing by enabling children to walk and cycle to school.
“Over the past 40 years, children walking and cycling to school has declined from 75 percent to 25 percent,” Dr Helen Donovan, Executive Director Walking SA said. “As physical activity levels decrease, not only do children experience a myriad of problems associated with loss of physical health, but we have also seen levels of anxiety and depression in young people skyrocket. Are we going to accept this as a community?”
In South Australia on average 52 percent of school children live within two kilometres of their school, but only 20 percent actively travel to or from school.
“Walking and cycling to school isn’t just a matter of individual motivation. We need to steadily improve the built environment to ensure it is safe and enjoyable to walk and ride. Children and families must have a viable, safe choice.” said Dr Donovan.
“We commend the government on their genuine, collaborative efforts to develop a state-wide Walking Strategy. Now we need to see some commitment and investment into walking to see this Strategy come to life.”
Walking SA calls on the government to take immediate action:
- Commit to working in partnership to enable Safe Streets to Schools;
- Lower the speed limit to 40km/h or less in all local streets and school catchments;
- Increase funding to local governments to install a network of planned separated bikeways, safe road crossings, greenways, and other supporting infrastructure to create Safe Streets to Schools
- Create policy to move school drop-off zones away from the front gate to decrease the high traffic volumes immediately in front of schools and thereby decrease the risk of collision with a child.
Walking SA will be calling on our members, supporters and followers to support our call at the next election and vote with their feet for the party who supports more walking more often.
Media enquiries
Helen Donovan, Executive Director Walking SA
helen.donovan@walkingsa.org.au Ph: 0457 006 620
About Walking SA
Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, including walking for recreation, transport, health, wellbeing, organised events, adventure, environmental appreciation and fun experiences.
Our vision is to see more people walking more often.
Our members include walking clubs, informal groups, individuals and organisations whose aims, and objectives align with those of Walking SA.
Our Strategy guides us to achieve more walking for recreation, transport, and health as we:
- Grow walking participation through programs, walking clubs and walking SA supporters.
- Support the planning of walkable communities and environments.
- Provide community information and lead annual walking events.
To find out about Walking SA, including our database describing over 750 trails in South Australia, visit walkingsa.org.au
Election 2022: Safe Streets to School
Walking SA is calling on the next South Australian Government to invest in Safe Streets to Schools.
All children should feel safe to walk to school and we want to work with the Government to see more children walk to school.
Submission on South Australia’s Draft Road Safety Strategy to 2031
Walking SA is the peak body for walking in South Australia, and pedestrian safety is a key focus of our strategy.
South Australia’s Road Safety Strategy update is an important opportunity to improve road safety for all road users, to encourage modal shift and to implement policy that creates a safer environment for our most vulnerable road users.
We commend the Government on listening to past feedback, and including Walking, Cycling and Public Transport in the strategic focus area, and support the key strategies in this area which will improve walking environments to allow for pedestrians to make mistakes that don’t prove to be fatal.
Walking SA has identified areas in the draft Road Safety Strategy that could be strengthened. We have presented our recommendations to further ensure that all residents of Adelaide can safely use our transportation networks to meet their daily mobility needs.
Super Tuesday 2021 Pedestrian Counts
On the assumption that “what is counted, counts”, Walking SA has been looking for ways to measure the amount of walking done, both on hiking trails and in our urban areas.
Every year Bike Adelaide manages the Super Tuesday counts. Volunteers count cyclists as they ride past particular points from 7am to 9am on the first Tuesday in March. We’ve been working with Bike Adelaide, both asking our membership for volunteers to count pedestrians, and asking Bike Adelaide volunteers who count cyclists if they could also count pedestrians, at least where they are not too busy.
In 2020 we had 14 locations counted, and this year 35. Importantly, ten of the 35 were counted in both years, so we are starting to be able to measure trends. All but one of the 10 locations saw an increase compared with 2021. The total increase at the 10 locations was 17%.
Here are the figures for locations counted in both years:
| Location | Pedestrians counted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2021 | change | |
| Port Road/ Gaol Road | 110 | 124 | 13% |
| Dequetteville Tce/ King William | 102 | 113 | 11% |
| Osmond Tce/ William St | 100 | 143 | 43% |
| Fullarton Rd/ William St | 94 | 116 | 23% |
| Britannia roundabout | 45 | 46 | 2% |
| Frome St/ Wakefield St | 333 | 372 | 12% |
| West Tce/ Sir Donald Bradman Dr | 202 | 206 | 2% |
| West Tce/ Sturt St | 98 | 67 | -32% |
| East Tce/ South Tce/ Beaumont Rd | 232 | 243 | 5% |
| Westside Bikeway/ South Road | 18 | 21 | 17% |
| TOTAL | 1334 | 1451 | 17% |
The overall increase is interesting given that the counts tend to be in an around the City, and overall numbers heading into the City are probably lower than they were in early March 2020. One explanation for this might be the increase in walking for exercise that was encouraged by the Covid lockdown. Also there may well be people walking who previously caught the bus.
But it should also be noted that, with one or two exceptions, pedestrians were not counted in the CBD itself – there are just too many of pedestrians to be counted and in any case counts at these locations the count would probably measure the popularity of the CBD rather than the popularity of walking.
Whatever, it’s good to see more walking in our inner suburbs.
Our Response to Green Adelaide Draft Regional Landscape Plan 2021-26
Heart Foundation and Walking SA teamed up to write to the Government of South Australia to reaffirm that green streets, parks and urban environments have an important role to play in getting people walking.
Trees in the street are critical in creating an environment that people want to walk in. The benefits for walkers are both aesthetic and practical, with street trees providing shelter from the sun and, to some extent, rain.
FACT – Trees are under threat in our city – greater Adelaide is losing a phenomenal number of trees.
We call on the government to to keep mature trees in new developments and establish guidelines for suitable trees to ensure canopy for our streets.
Our Response
17 April 2021
Heart Foundation and Walking SA response to Green Adelaide Draft Regional Landscape Plan 2021-26
The Heart Foundation and Walking SA welcome the opportunity to respond to Green Adelaide.
We commend the government’s commitment to a cooler, greener, wilder and climate-resilient city, particularly as this will have significant impacts on how we live, whether we walk, and our health and wellbeing.
This submission will focus on key focus areas G1, G2 and G3 under Green streets and flourishing parklands: increase the extent and quality of urban green cover.
Lack of physical activity is a leading risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and for poor mental health.1 Only 15% of adults meet all the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines (ABS 2018). Walking is a simple, accessible and equitable physical activity way of reducing key risk factors.
If more people walk for recreation, sport, transport and health for 30 minutes each day, evidence supports there will be a reduction of 35% in cardiovascular disease.2 Unfortunately, more than 85% of Australian adults are not achieving this level of exercise according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.3
We believe that green streets and flourishing parks and urban environments have an important role to play in getting people walking.
Green streetscapes and public spaces
The “green-ness” of our streets and public spaces determines the liveability of our city, suburbs and regions and is ultimately a key determining factor as to whether people will choose to live here in the future.
Cities around the world now regard trees and other vegetation as critical urban infrastructure – as important to how a city functions as the “hard infrastructure” such as roads, and particularly vital to the health and wellbeing of communities.
Our streets are particularly important because they make up a substantial part of the open space available to communities, and can be better utilised as places to play, relax, socialise, grow food, be active, sit and create.
We accept that population growth concentrated in Adelaide and our urban areas is inevitable, and that increasing residential density should be part of the overall plan for South Australian population growth.
As we move towards increases in medium density housing, the success lies in convincing the community of the necessity of smaller private spaces and the challenge is to expand and improve public open spaces nearer to where we live.4 The intensification of development in Greater Adelaide’s urban areas requires that built environment professionals and developers consider the role of streetscapes as not solely the domain of motor vehicles but also for pedestrians and cyclists.
Conventional streets favour and prioritise the movement of vehicles, with the quantity and quality of space for people on foot often only considered as an afterthought.5 Instead, to support walking, the role of the street must be re-considered as a place to be somewhere, not just get somewhere. Our streets are becoming increasingly important as public spaces for social and commercial interaction.
For streets to work as effective public spaces, they need to be ‘lively’ and to foster social interactions. Great streets for people should be pleasant places to walk, should protect us from the weather and should respond to climate change.
It is not enough to accelerate greening of our streetscapes and public spaces. We must have mature trees with canopy that provides shade.
Mature streets trees can encourage walking and promote wellbeing in several ways:6
- By providing facilitative settings encouraging people to walk for both exercise and transport;
- By facilitating social interaction and a sense of community;
- Trees can aid the healing process for those recovering from stress related illnesses;
- Trees planted along a kerb, especially if closely spaced; define a pedestrian zone separated from vehicular traffic, creating a sense of safety both physically and The perception of safety is an important component of walkability, and trees create a protective barrier which reduces the risk of being hit by a ‘run-off-the-road’ vehicle. –
- By mitigating the adverse effects created by urban heat islands – ensuring people are still able to walk on hotter days under a canopy of connected trees providing shade, in relative
- Trees (low-allergen) absorb considerable quantities of airborne pollutants and the resulting cleaner air cuts childhood asthma levels.
The Heart Foundation’s Healthy Active by Design guidelines aim to assist planners, urban designers and related professionals to design healthy urban environments that enable people to make healthy lifestyle choices and in particular incorporate walking and cycling into their daily routine. The guide suggest that planners use tree planting and landscaping to contribute to the functionality of streets and open spaces, improve the microclimate and create attractive and legible routes and spaces that encourage active use.7
Trees and landscaping in the street are critical in creating an environment that people want to walk in, especially for recreation. The benefits for walkers are both aesthetic and practical, with street trees providing shelter from the sun and, to some extent, rain.8 An Australian study found the presence of trees providing shade in open spaces was positively associated with an increased likelihood of being active.9
The big tree argument
Large, mature trees are considered to deliver more significant benefits than smaller stature trees.
Therefore large tree species should be planted, and trees should be allowed to grow to maturity to maximize their benefits. For example, large trees provide greater benefits of improved shade, water quality and air quality than smaller trees.10 Large trees out-perform small trees in moderating air temperatures, blocking UV radiation, conserving energy, sequestering carbon and reducing air pollution, in a manner directly related to the size of the tree canopy.11 A study by McPherson12 estimated that a large tree with a height of 14 metres provides three times the annual environmental benefits of a similarly aged 7 metre high tree, and that the value of benefits increases faster than the costs of managing a larger tree.
Larger trees also have greater visual presence, and are often more highly valued by residents, especially where ‘canopy closure’ over the street is achieved.131415 In one study the single largest factor in determining the attractiveness of a street scene was the size of the trees and their canopies. This was supported by a study in which there was a preference for large canopied trees in a tree replacement program.16 A canopy of mature trees arching over the street and shading properties has defined the character of many urban and suburban communities. In fact it is the enduring nature of large trees in a rapidly changing urban environment that contributes to their high symbolic value and a sense of permanence in our fast changing society.17
We strongly advocate for the value of trees in our communities for health, social economic and environmental reasons.
The benefits of trees in our urban environment are well known and documented.
Adequate space in our streets for trees is critical to ensure that the inherent benefits for our communities are achieved.
The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide sets a target that urban canopy cover is increased by 20% in metropolitan Adelaide by 2045. This is a target we strongly support.
We draw your attention to the value of trees and refer you to the section “The Value of Trees” on Page 16 of Creating Greener Places for Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Ideas for Quality Green Public Space in South Australia (PDF 7MB).
However, as development intensity continues to place pressure on existing suburbs, private development on private land must accommodate space above and below the ground to ensure a range of tree sizes can be planted, grow, thrive and mature to achieve the State’s target.
Guidance on suitable trees, appropriate root zones, sizes of new trees (height and girth) as well as establishment periods and regimes is also a contributing factor to the establishment of healthy, large and beneficial trees in our streets.
Existing Trees
Trees are under threat in our city – greater Adelaide is losing a phenomenal number of trees – about 1-6% since 2013.18 If this continues, there is no hope of reaching Adelaide’s goal of becoming ‘a green liveable city’;
Urban infill is necessary, we appreciate that our population is growing and the demand for residential properties will mean smaller housing allotment with less space for trees and permeable surfaces to capture rainfall to sustain green cover.
Trees can be challenging to live with, trees need maintenance and can involve risk to a household, but the benefits to the householder and the wider community are worth it.
Retaining trees on a block can be a real challenge when development takes place – some consider it costly to retain trees, yet ‘smart infill’ and careful design to maximise the retention of existing trees and gain the benefits offered by mature trees rather than the small shrubs or immature trees often favoured in new developments is possible.
Our recommended practical solutions aim to balance the current tensions between our planning system and the community’s need for a green liveable city; including:
- Support for retaining tree canopy on private land that accounts for 80% of metropolitan Adelaide (not just new tree planting on public land).
- Clearer rules and simpler and quicker processes in Councils and Government for homeowners and developers, and;
- Help for the tree owners who, as custodians, currently bear all the cost and risk while nearby properties share in the aesthetic and coolness benefits.
We also believe advocacy on the value of trees in contributing to green corridors, connected canopies, cooling benefits and cost benefits within the private homes will change community expectations in achieving the State’s canopy targets.
To assist in developing easy to access and understand information, high quality and accurate mapping of tree canopies, like flood mapping, needs to be made accessible to all. Similarly, mapping of all significant and regulated trees should be considered as a critical overlay in the Code, noting that trees mature and change over time.
The impact of new infill housing development on green streetscapes
Adelaide’s urban infill development is depleting urban street tree canopy and both public and private green space.
Public green spaces are a core facet of urban infill development being attractive, liveable and sustainable. When liveability and attractiveness are considered, urban infill development can deliver many positive health, environment and economic outcomes.
More and more however, we are seeing examples of suburban densification in Adelaide where private owners knock down one house and replace it with two or more smaller houses1. Often this type of development occurs with minimal consideration of integration between the new dwellings and broader street and neighbourhood context. Done on an ad- hoc basis (compared with other larger site development), this style of development has the potential to negatively impact the place-making functions of the street and neighbourhood.
Specifically, poor quality infill may affect:
- The footpath quality and connectivity
- The street trees, landscaping and shading
- The aesthetics of the streetscape
- The microclimate and heat island effect
- The safety of pedestrians
- Accessibility to transport and other local
The legislation must change to give protection to trees. This is imperative for Adelaide to retain its quality urban form, safeguard liveability in the face of a hotter and drier climate, and ensure that the city is a place that is inviting, and supportive of a thriving economic. This matter is too integral to strategic planning outcomes to be left to chance alone.
There must be incentives to keep mature trees in new development through the new planning system.
We must establish urban tree conservation areas such as the Adelaide Parklands and significant tree-lined streets, which protect mature trees from being felled.
Deep soil zones are required to retain existing vegetation on an existing or redeveloped site as well as areas to accommodate new deep root vegetation. Deep soil zones allow for a range of tree species to provide shade, improve evapotranspiration, cooling, increase private canopy cover and soften the appearance of buildings. Our concern is that the design of spaces to allow deep soil zones needs to be considered on a site-by-site basis.
For example, a deep soil zone that is too narrow and along the boundary will not accommodate any trees, so that the quantitative measures might be achieved; however, the qualitative benefits of the tree canopy are never achieved. Therefore, the design of sites is critical.
Therefore, we advocate that deep soil zones need to be considered contextually on a site- specific basis, and to educate on the importance of suitable and adequate planting areas as a fit-for-purpose exercise as part of good practice and is reinforced by various legislative requirements and regulation.
There is also an opportunity for innovation in slab design, house position and orientation, the inclusion of wrap-around courtyards and root trenches that improve the deep root zone of trees. There are also a range of hard surfaces that are designed to be permeable to allow for water penetration to the soil zone (e.g., for driveways). Baseline provisions will not achieve the targets that the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide sets out.
New and denser developments must include tree planting that will provide a legacy, that are fit for purpose, and address species diversity to ensure the best environmental outcomes.
New developments need to reinforce, reference and mandate the important role that front yards have in connecting green space with streetscapes.
We believe that more than 7% of a site’s area is required for deep soil zones for medium to high rise development and should be included to lead change and support State’s targets.
Recommendations
We recommend the following:
- Guidelines be developed to include details of minimum tree size and quality at time of installation
- All landscaping is established prior to occupancy
- The Botanic Gardens of SA Plant selector and local Council lists used to develop suitable plant species by zone, postcode, or a similar guide
- Greater focus on larger tree species rather than defaulting to small trees
- The City of Adelaide recognise and utilise the City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy in developing and focussing on the importance of urban
- That this strategy explicitly describes its importance, relevance and relationship within a framework of other strategies across South Australian government portfolios, including state biodiversity, climate change, water, strategic planning, recreation and open space, education, walking and health and wellbeing strategies.
Thank you for this opportunity and we wish you great success.
As you will know the Heart Foundation has been commissioned by Wellbeing SA to lead the development of a state-wide Walking Strategy. We consider Green Adelaide’s Landscape Plan as one of the key policies that will support the Walking Strategy and we look forward to continuing our conversation with you during the development process.
If you would like any further information, evidence or clarification on this submission please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Imelda Lynch
Chief Executive Officer SA/NT, Heart Foundation
Helen Donovan
Executive Director, Walking SA
Contact: Tuesday Udell, Senior Policy Advisor, Tuesday.udell@heartfoundation.org.au
About the Heart Foundation
For over sixty years the Heart Foundation has been fighting for Australian Hearts.
We have a vision of an Australia free of heart disease and our mission is to prevent heart disease and improve the heart health and quality of life of all Australians through our work in risk reduction, support and care, and research.
As part of our work we are committed to seeing more Australians more active, more often.
The Heart Foundation is the leading Australian organisation advocating for environments that promote and support physical activity and work in partnership with a range of industry, government, non-government and academic organisations to create environments that support healthier living through better planning, built environments and transport solutions.
About Walking SA
Our vision is to see more people walking more often.
Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, including walking for recreation, transport, health, wellbeing, organised events, adventure, environmental appreciation and fun experiences. Our vision is to see more people walking more often. Our members include walking clubs, informal groups, individuals and organisations whose aims, and objectives align with those of Walking SA.
References
1 Also known as knock down rebuild = teardown rebuild = two for one = three for one = housing intensification.
1 World Health Organisation. Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, WHO, Geneva, 2018. 2 UK Chief Medical Officer. 2019. UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines. United Kingdom Government: United Kingdom
3 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018, National Health Survey: First results, 2017-18, cat. no. 4364.0.55.001, December. ABS: Canberra.
4 Udell T, et al. Does density matter? The role of density in creating walkable neighbourhoods. Melbourne: National Heart Foundation of Australia. 2014.
5 Government of South Australia, National Heart Foundation of Australia. Streets for People. A Compendium for South Australian Practice. Adelaide 2012.
6 Heart Foundation SA: Position snapshot: Making the case for investment in street trees and landscaping in urban environments. 2012.
7 National Heart Foundation of Australia. Healthy Active By Design https://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/
8 Vic Walks http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/trees/
9 Timperio, A., et al. Features of public open spaces and physical activity among children: Findings from the CLAN study. Preventive Medicine, 2008; 47(5), 514–518.
10 McPherson, J. R., et al. (2005). Municipal Forest Benefits and Costs in Five US Cities. Journal of Forestry(December).
11 Nowak, D. J. (2004). Assessing environmental functions and values of veteran trees. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Protection and Exploitation of Veteran Trees, Torino, Italy.
12 McPherson, E. G. (2005). “Trees with benefits.” American Nurseryman 201(7).
13 Kalmbach, K. L. and J. J. Kielbaso. Resident attitudes toward selected characteristics of street tree planting. Journal of Arboriculture. 1979; 5(6): 124-129.
14 Schroeder, H. W. and W. N. Cannon. The aesthetic contribution of trees to residential streets in Ohio towns. Journal of Arboriculture. 1983; 9: 237-243.
15 Sommer, R., et al. Household evaluation of two street tree species. Journal of Arboriculture. 1989; 15: 99-103.
16 Heimlich, J., et al. Attitudes of residents toward street trees on four streets in Toledo, Ohio, U.S. before removal of Ash trees from Emerald Ash borer.” Journal of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 34(1): 47-53.
17 Dwyer, J. F., et al. (2003). “Sustaining urban forests. Journal of Arboriculture. 2008; 29(1): 49-55.
18 Conservation Council SA. What’s happening to Adelaide’s trees? June 2020
Advocating for improved walking and mobility conditions in Mannum
We recently sent a letter to Mid Murray Council about works on an access ramp and footpath that has resulted in a steep incline which is not suitable for those with mobility impairments. We applaud the works to improve walking and mobility within the towns and settlements in the council’s area but draw attention to an example of a ramp that does not meet Australian Standards (AS1428 Design for access and mobility.)
Letter from Walking SA
23 March 2021
Mid Murray Council
CEO Ben Scales
Dear Mr Scales
We are aware Council has been investing in installing new footpaths and access ramps in selected locations across the Mid Murray Council and we applaud the works to improve walking and mobility within the towns and settlements in the council’s area.
We are contacting you about an access matter that has been brought to our attention in Mannum.
It appears that some recent new works involving the installation of an access ramp and footpath has resulted in a steep incline which is not suitable for those with mobility impairments. We understand this is located within the town centre of Mannum on Neil Street.
We would like to draw your attention to Australian Standards (AS1428 and parts) regarding the provision of universal access to such devices, which includes the connection to new or improved footpaths from the adjacent street.
This requires a maximum grade of no more than 2.5% in any direction, together with the approach footpaths where feasible.
This issue may have been alleviated with some simple and minor earthworks to better align the grades of the new bitumen footpath and the access ramp, as well as connecting the ramp to the adjacent and new path in accordance with the standards.
We would also seek assurance that new works or asset replacements works are specified according to the relevant universal access standards (in this case, Australian Standard AS1428 and parts), and where appropriate, funded adequately.
Improving walking conditions to an agreed universal access standard for all abilities is an important and critical service councils provide. We appreciate at times errors or mistakes occur.
We would request council reconsider this matter and rectify the situation to ensure the safety and access for all residents, visitors, and workers in Mannum.
Walking SA is the peak body for walking in South Australia, and a strong advocate for creating more walkable places. We support efforts to encourage more walking for transport, recreation and health in our cities, towns, and settlements for people of all ages and abilities.
We would be pleased to discuss this matter further if required and we also would appreciate your response to this matter.
Regards
Helen Donovan
Executive Director
Children have the right to walk and ride safely to school
Leading advocacy agencies Walking SA, Bike Adelaide and Heart Foundation, are urging all levels of government to radically rethink school precincts to prioritise children’s physical and mental health and safety by providing safe, enjoyable walking and cycling routes to school. The agencies call for:
- A consistent decrease in speed to a maximum speed limit of 40km/h in local streets and school precincts, with lower speed limits in all dedicated school zones and streets where pedestrians and cars are forced to share space (including streets with narrow footpaths, carparks, and laneways)
- An immediate increase in funding to local governments to install a network of planned separated bikeways, safe road crossings, and other supporting infrastructure to create safe travel routes to schools
- To move school drop-off zones away from the front gate to decrease the high traffic volumes immediately in front of schools and thereby decrease the risk of collision with a child
“Let’s start with a simple, systemic change that will dramatically increase children’s safety – drop the default urban speed limit to a maximum of 40km/h” said Dr Helen Donovan, Executive Director of Walking SA. “The relationship between speed and road traffic accidents is well established. Speed is one of the major factors contributing to accidents on South Australia’s roads. Evidence shows a decrease in the default maximum speed from 50km/h to 40km/h would reduce the risk of death on collision from over 80% to 26% 1. If you could save the life of one child by adding a few seconds on to your daily commute, would you choose to do it?
“Over the past 40 years, children walking and cycling to school has declined from 75 percent to 25 percent,” Dr Donovan said. “As physical activity levels decrease, not only do children experience a myriad of problems associated with loss of physical health, but we have also seen levels of anxiety and depression in young people skyrocket. Are we going to accept this as a community?”
In South Australia on average 52 percent of school children live within two kilometres of their school, but only 20 percent actively travel to or from school 2. Bike Adelaide Chair, Katie Gilfillan, is encouraging local governments and the state government to re-orient transport and infrastructure spending toward a network of safe, enjoyable walking and cycling routes. “Walking and cycling to school isn’t just a matter of individual motivation. We need to steadily improve the built environment to ensure it is safe and enjoyable to walk and ride. Children and families must have a viable, safe choice.”
Heart Foundation CEO SA/NT Imelda Lynch welcomes the recent South Australian government announcement that a state walking strategy will be developed in 2021. The strategy will aim to get more people walking more often including safe routes for children to walk to school which improves levels of physical activity and wellbeing.
Media enquiries
Helen Donovan, Executive Director Walking SA
helen.donovan@walkingsa.org.au Ph: 0457006620
About Walking SA
Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, including walking for recreation, transport, health, wellbeing, organised events, adventure, environmental appreciation and fun experiences.
Our vision is to see more people walking more often.
Our members include walking clubs, informal groups, individuals and organisations whose aims, and objectives align with those of Walking SA. We provide leadership by:
- Promoting opportunities to improve the health and lifestyle of South Australians through
- Offering expertise, guidance and advocacy for the development and maintenance of safe and supportive walking environments throughout South
To find out about Walking SA, including our database describing over 700 trails in South Australia, visit www.walkingsa.org.au
About Bike Adelaide (Formerly the Bicycle Institute of South Australia)
Bike Adelaide advocates for the development of bike friendly communities that encourage people to use the bicycle as a healthy, efficient, and environmentally friendly transport choice. Our advocacy efforts focus on supporting everyday cycling, particularly the creation of a low-stress cycling network safe for anyone aged 8 – 80 years to enjoy.
Specifically, Bike Adelaide advocates for investment in new and improved cycling infrastructure and supporting policies and practices to improve cycling safety, connectivity, and comfort across the Greater Adelaide area.
Our vision: Sustainable transport is at the heart of Adelaide’s success as a people friendly and environmentally responsible city. Adelaide thrives on the fun and freedom that comes from cycling.
As a non-for-profit organisation powered by volunteers Bike Adelaide represents its members and all people including children who currently, or would like to bike, as a part of their everyday lives. For more on Bike Adelaide and our activities visit bikeadelaide.org.au.
About the Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of Australians – heart disease. For 60 years, it has led the battle to save lives and improve the heart health of all Australians. Its sights are set on a world where people don’t suffer or die prematurely because of heart disease.
For heart health information and support, call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 13 11 12. To find out about more about the Heart Foundation’s work supporting active living visit heartfoundation.org.au/Heart-health-education/Physical-activity-Built-Environment
Draft Pastoral Lands Bill up for review – access for bushwalking
Government review of Pastoral Act may impact access for recreational bushwalkers in the Flinders Ranges
Twelve months ago the State Government commenced consultation around revising the Pastoral Act. We encouraged people to submit input to preserve access to these remote locations for bushwalking.
Much of the land in the Flinders Ranges north of Hawker is not private freehold land but instead is leased from the State Government to pastoralists to undertake grazing ventures, whilst recognising the rights of Aboriginal people. As the land is leased, people can undertake recreational off-trail bushwalking in these remote locations. They must notify the lessee of their intentions to walk, and the lessee can only deny access in certain scenarios.
The Draft Pastoral Lands Bill 2020 is now up for public review. We’ve read through the bill, and are pleased to see that the rights to access pastoral lands to undertake bushwalking activities has been retained, and indeed improved. Of course with this right comes some responsibility, and the bill clearly states the offences and rights of different parties.
Have your say at yoursay.sa.gov.au/decisions/draft-pastoral-lands-bill.
The public consultation period closes 5pm Sunday 18 October 2020.
Turn the school run into a walk
This Walk to School Safely Day (Friday September 11), the Heart Foundation and Walking SA are urging children and parents to change their habits and get more active as they travel to and from school.
Heart Foundation CEO SA Imelda Lynch is encouraging families to put their health first by seeking out more active ways to do the school run and leave the car at home.
The National Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that children get at least an hour of physical activity a day, but only one in five Australian children are currently meeting the guidelines.
“This is a concern because physical activity is good for children’s physical health, it reduces the likelihood of childhood obesity, and it is also important when it comes to their mental health, academic performance and concentration in school,” Ms Lynch said.
“Walking, cycling or even scooting to and from school are some of the easiest ways to increase children’s activity levels,” Ms Lynch said.
National data show that over the past 40 years, children walking and cycling to school has declined from 75 percent to 25 percent.
In South Australia on average 52 percent of school children live within two km of their school, but only 20 percent actively travel to or from school. 1
“This figure is worrying but could be improved if the school run was used as a way to incorporate include more activity into the daily routine,” Ms Lynch said.
Parents and caregivers will also benefit if they join their kids walking to school.
“Physical activity can help reduce the risk of heart disease in adults, which is the single leading cause of death in Australia, claiming 48 lives every day,” Ms Lynch said.
Walking SA Executive Director, Helen Donovan, said children who walk to school are happier, healthier, less stressed, and more attentive during the school day. Walking to school also offers the opportunity for strengthening social bonds with family and peers through the incidental chats that naturally occur. These healthy behaviours, when established in childhood, are more likely to be sustained into adulthood.
“Parents want the best for their kids. One of the ways to develop healthy, happy, confident kids is to build a walk into every day,” Dr Donovan said.
“Governments can help by shaping the urban environment for safe, enjoyable walking on connected networks. This requires more investment in pedestrian and cycle paths, safe crossings, and lower speeds on local roads,” she said.
The Heart Foundation is calling for the government to develop and fund a State-wide Walking Strategy. The strategy will aim to get more people walking more frequently including a focus on ensuring safe routes for children to walk to school.
Media enquiries
Emily Goddard, Media Advisor
M: 0432 417 518 E: emily.goddard@heartfoundation.org.au
About the Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of Australians – heart disease. For 60 years, it has led the battle to save lives and improve the heart health of all Australians. Its sights are set on a world where people don’t suffer or die prematurely because of heart disease.
Find out your risk of heart attack or stroke by using our Heart Age Calculator. For heart health information and support, call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 13 11 12. To find out about the Heart Foundation’s research program or to make a donation, visit www.heartfoundation.org.au
About Walking SA
Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, including walking for recreation, transport, health, wellbeing, organised events, adventure, environmental appreciation and fun experiences.
- Our vision is to see more people walking more
Our members include walking clubs, informal groups, individuals and organisations whose aims and objectives align with those of Walking SA.
We provide leadership by:
- Promoting opportunities to improve the health and lifestyle of South Australians through walking.
- Offering expertise, guidance and advocacy for the development and maintenance of safe and supportive walking environments throughout South
To find out about Walking SA, including our database describing over 700 trails in South Australia, visit www.walkingsa.org.au
- GIS Residential data from 26,910 primary school students (2015-2018) and Way2Go school survey data from 11,944 year 3-7 students (2015-2018) ↩
Super Tuesday – Ten years of collecting cycling and (now) walking data in the City of Adelaide
For a decade now volunteers have counted cyclists at key locations in an around the City of Adelaide for two hours on the first Tuesday in March – known as Super Tuesday.
Adopting the belief that “what is counted counts”, Walking SA is always looking for data on the amount of walking being done, and this year put a call out for volunteers to participate to count pedestrians, undertaking a similar count as that of the cyclists.
At this stage we are only looking to establish trends in the amount of urban walking being done. (We have some pretty good data about walking on the main bush trails.) We are looking for counts wherever we have volunteers willing and able to undertake them.
We are not looking for those locations where there are lots of pedestrians, such as King William Street. There are usually too many to count, and in any case what those very busy locations tell us is the importance of the location rather than the popularity of walking.
Responses to our request for volunteers, as well as some of those counting cyclists also being willing to count pedestrians, resulted in a total of 14 locations being counted.
Count Results
Pedestrians counted 7am to 9am Tuesday 3 March, 2020.
| Location | Pedestrians counted |
|---|---|
| Fitzroy Tce / Braund | 23 |
| Outer Harbor Greenway / Parklands Trail | 30 |
| Port Road / Gaol Road | 110 |
| Dequetteville Tce / King William Street (Kent Town) | 102 |
| Morphett St / Hindley St | 195 (7am to 8am only) |
| Osmond Tce / William St | 34 |
| Fullarton Rd / William St | 94 |
| Fullarton Rd / Kensington Rd (Britannia roundabout) | 45 |
| Frome St / Wakefield St | 303 |
| West Tce / Sir Donald Bradman Dr | 202 |
| West Tce / Sturt St | 98 |
| East Tce / South Tce / Beaumont Rd | 232 |
| West Tce / South Tce | 77 |
| Westside Bikeway / South Road | 18 |
Thanks to all those who came out on what was an usually cold Tuesday morning.
Hopefully we can have a similar or bigger effort next year, so that we can start observing trends.
If you would like to help out, please contact Ian Radbone, Walking SA Board member and Super Tuesday manager.