Walking SA Transport

Walking SA has a say on the Gawler Growth Framework

  • Submission
Posted on by Walking SA

The Town of Gawler has produced a Gawler Growth Framework and the associated Gawler Integrated Transport Strategy 2046.

We made a submission to the Council:

  • Most exciting from a walking perspective would be the construction of a shared path on the old railway alignment to Roseworthy, especially given the development of new suburbs south of Roseworthy. Rail trails are popular with residents looking for opportunities to walk beyond the town boundaries, just for exercise and recreation.
  • We encouraged the council to consider ways to relieve traffic pressure on Murray Street to allow for safer and better walking. We’re dissapointed in the measures taken following a the death of a pedestrian on Murray Street, and encourage more measures like reducing speeds and removing slip lanes.
  • We believe that adopting walkability as an omnipresent yardstick in the future development of the town is the most effective means of creating a healthy, happy and prosperous community.
Read our full submission

Keeping our trails open – Belair National Park

  • Response
Posted on by Walking SA

Keeping our trails open – Belair National Park

SA’s oldest and most visited national park – Belair National Park – is a State treasure. The park is set in pristine and diverse bushland with a myriad of beautiful walking trails. However, it is unusually dissected by a rail corridor. Historically, the rail corridor and trail network have co-existed in the Park with the rail tunnels and rail crossing points enabling safe access and continuity of the trail network.

However, the closing of the rail crossing access point from Sheoak Road (near Pony Ridge) has presented more of a challenge to ensure full park and safe trail access is maintained.

Walking SA supports a safe rail crossing point in Belair National Park at or near the Sheoak Road/Pony Ridge.

If you want to understand the challenge, see the supporting documents.

Walking SA is currently writing to representatives that we believe will partner us to find a workable solution. We will keep you updated on our progress.

August 28, 2024 update: a letter sent to the Hon Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

Submission to support and improve the City of Unley Wood-Weller Bikeway Streetscape

  • Submission
Posted on by Walking SA

Walking SA welcomes the infrastructure improvements to the Wood-Weller Bikeway proposed by the City of Unley.

As the peak body for walking in SA, covering both walking for recreation and transportation, Walking SA fully supports the proposed initiative, and consider it in alignment with our stated mission to get more people walking more often. For reference, we have attached to this letter our recently released 2023-2025 strategic plan, which includes the new addition of a walkability pillar.

We have reviewed the concept design plans for the project and in general, consider the proposed design to be sound and well considered. Whilst we acknowledge that the project focus is mostly on improving conditions for people riding bikes, we support the creation of new shared crossings of Northgate Street.

More specifically, we would like to offer the following minor comments and suggestions on specific aspects of the design where we feel that walking outcomes could be improved:

Location 1: Wood Street to just east of Victoria Avenue

Acknowledging the desire lines for people walking from/to Victoria St would not be as well serviced by the proposed Northgate St midblock crossing, has the potential for an additional or alternative crossing at the intersection Victoria/Northgate been considered?

Location 2: King William Road intersection and Heywood Park Improvements

Prominent and legible wayfinding signage should be considered between Northgate Street and Whistler Avenue to inform route choice between the bikeway and King William Road. The concept design documentation does not make it clear if this is currently included in the project or not.

View full submission

2023 Walking Award Winners – Recognising contributions to walking in South Australia

Posted on by Walking SA

We presented the awards for the annual Walking SA Walking Awards. The awards recognises and promotes the achievements and work of groups, organisations, local and state government, and volunteers in South Australia. The Awards process is an opportunity for public and peer recognition of achievements in walking, and demonstrates to volunteers, community groups, the recreation industry, business, government, and the wider community the significant and positive impact that can be achieved through improvements to walkability. This year the awards were expanded to include a new category, to an organisation or individual that makes walking more inclusive and an adjustment to an existing one, to value the commitment to walking of a volunteer.

Awards were presented to three organisations, a community group and one individual, celebrating their contribution to walking in South Australia. Awards were presented by Gabrielle (Gabby) Fisher, Wellbeing SA, and Rod Quintrell, Walking SA Chair.

2023 Annual Walking Award Winners

2023 Award Winner: Williamstown Action Group and Barossa Outdoors, Williamstown Action Group and Barossa Outdoors

Williamstown Action Group and Barossa Outdoors, Williamstown Action Group and Barossa Outdoors

2023 Walking for Recreation: Supporting South Australians accessing green open space for walking

Awarded for Santa Dash, an idea conceived by Matt Hale (Co-Director of Barossa Outdoors) who worked with the local volunteer progress association Williamstown Action Group (part of the Southern Barossa Alliance) to establish the event. This now annual event showcases the opportunities when …

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2023 Award Winner: Skyline Walkers, Skyline Walkers

Skyline Walkers, Skyline Walkers

2023 Walking for Health: Supporting South Australians’ health and wellbeing through walking

Awarded to recognise your support of the mental and emotional health, and physical wellbeing of walkers. Your appreciation of the obvious benefits of walking through the example of lifting the spirit by walking though the fields of wildflowers on show in the Adelaide Hills in spring, taking …

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2023 Award Winner: City of Charles Sturt, City of Charles Sturt

City of Charles Sturt, City of Charles Sturt

2023 Walking for Transport: Supporting South Australians making short trips by walking

Awarded for your transformation of Jetty Street, Grange in the City of Charles Sturt (CCS) into a walkable community asset. The place is home to a diverse mix of residents, businesses and schools, and attracts a range of visitors throughout the year due its close proximity to the Grange …

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2023 Award Winner: Saree Sahelis

Saree Sahelis

2023 Outstanding Group or Individual Contribution to advance walking inclusivity: Outstanding group or individual contribution to make walking an all-inclusive activity

Awarded in recognition of your role in challenging the stereotype that traditional clothing restricts physical activity and to advocate for inclusivity in embracing fitness as a community. Saree means ‘All’ and Sahelis means ‘Friends’. Your group of Australian women of Indian origin …

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2023 Award Winner: Bruce Newstead

Bruce Newstead

2023 Outstanding Individual Contribution of volunteer to walking: Outstanding individual contribution to walking in South Australia

Awarded to recognise you at 84 years young, as a wonderful volunteer whose passion and support for Heart Foundation Walking is infectious. Your support to help others in the Salisbury area increase their own level of physical activity, and their confidence and competence through walking is …

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Make Walking Great Again, Wed 18 Oct 2023

Posted on by Walking SA

Join Walking SA to share walkability success stories and explore opportunities to make your local area more walkable.

Hear how you can overcome the challenges to make your own local area a success.

Wed 18 Oct 2023
9am to 1pm
Networking and light refreshments included

The Jade
142-160 Flinders St
Adelaide

Cost
FREE

  • Keynote Speaker:
       Brian Deegan, Director of Inspections (Active Travel England)
    London, UK
  • Local speakers will share local walking examples of how we can influence change including:
    •    Charles Mountain, RAA Senior Safety & Infrastructure
    •    Sara Morrison, Traffic Engineer, City of Charles Sturt
  • Panel discussion
  • Workshop:
       Making change happen
Tickets
Download flyer

Walking Awards – Nominations open

Posted on by Walking SA

Step into Spring also means the annual Walking SA Walking Awards sponsored by Wellbeing SA are now open.

In 2023, the five award categories are:

  1. Walking for Health: Supporting South Australians’ health and wellbeing through walking ($1500)
  2. Walking for Recreation: Supporting South Australians accessing green open space for walking ($1,500)
  3. Walking for Transport: Supporting South Australians making short trips by walking ($1,500)
  4. Outstanding Group or Individual Contribution to advance walking inclusivity: Outstanding group or individual contribution to make walking an all-inclusive activity (new category) ($750)
  5. Outstanding Individual Contribution of volunteer to walking:  Outstanding individual contribution to walking in South Australia ($750)

Nominate a worthy recipient and let’s recognise their endeavour that enables us all to enjoy the beauty and benefits of walking.

Key Dates for Awards Entries

Nominations open: 11 September 2023
Nominations close: 16 October 2023 – extended – 30 October 2023
Awards Ceremony: 9 November 2023 (Walking SA AGM)

Read more

Improving walkability – Walking SA’s submission to improve a key intersection along Glen Osmond Road, Parkside

Posted on by Walking SA

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.

View submission

Walking SA supports the Montgomerie Terrace Shared Use Path, Streaky Bay

Posted on by Walking SA

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.

View Letter of Support

Personal Mobility Device (PMD) Use in South Australia

Posted on by Walking SA

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.

View submission

Media enquiries

Sharon Kelsey, Executive Director Walking SA
sharon.kelsey@walkingsa.org.au Ph: 0457 006 620

SA Walking Strategy – launched!

Posted on by Walking SA

On Friday 14 January, Walking SA Chair Tuesday Udell attended the launch of the South Australian Walking Strategy 2022-2032, which focuses on three priority areas, to realise the vision of more people walking, more often, of all ages and abilities:

  • plan walkable neighbourhoods, towns and cities
  • build connected, safe and pleasant walking environments for all
  • create a South Australian walking culture.

Walking is considered the most equitable form of physical activity and human transportation, as it is inexpensive, can be done almost anywhere and can be easily incorporated into most people’s lives.

Scientific evidence shows walking as part of regular physical activity can help improve people’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing. We know that finding time in our busy lives to add more physical activity can be hard. So we are working collaboratively to provide solutions to make it easier to walk places, so everyone can add a short walk into their day.

The strategy is a 10 year blueprint to encourage people in South Australia to walk more. Developed in partnership with the Heart Foundation, the strategy involves cross sector and multi agency collaboration and commitment, with an aim to create long term and effective behaviour change and increase the number of South Australians who walk regularly. The strategy also includes a three year action plan, to strengthen policy, environments and programs that support increased walking for all people in South Australia.

Co-designed through community engagement and expert advice, the strategy provides a practical guide for what needs to be done to get more people walking. Wellbeing SA will oversee progress of the action plan, working closely with key departments and organisations.

Find out more

SA Election: Vote with your feet

  • Media Release
Posted on by Walking SA

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.

View Walking SA 2022 State Election submission

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

Walking SA Annual Walking Awards – Nominations Open

Posted on by Walking SA

The annual Walking SA Walking Awards are now open for nominations.

The program provides a key vehicle for the promotion of the achievements and work of groups, organisations, local and state government, and volunteers in South Australia.

The Awards process is an opportunity for public and peer recognition of achievements in walking, and demonstrates to volunteers, community groups, the recreation industry, business, government, and the wider community the significant and positive impact that can be achieved through improvements to walkability.

Each of the three award categories of Walking for Health, Transport and Recreation will be awarded a $2,000 prize. The award for Outstanding Individual Contribution will be awarded a Walking SA Lifetime Membership.

Key dates:
Nominations close: 21 October 2021
Awards Ceremony: 28 October 2021 (Walking SA AGM)

To nominate for an award, please download the Nomination Form.

Walking Strategy for South Australia – open for consultation

Posted on by Walking SA

After working in partnership across-government, engaging with stakeholders and reviewing the best available evidence and evidence-based practice, a draft Walking Strategy for South Australia has been developed. The Strategy will help to guide the planning, building and creation of walkable environments for all South Australians. Community feedback on the draft Strategy is being sought by 17 October 2021 on yourSAy which can be accessed via yoursay.sa.gov.au/south-australian-walking-strategy

Walking is an inclusive and accessible activity that allows people to get from one place to another, can improve their health and wellbeing and provide them with an enjoyable way of spending their leisure time.

When we talk about walking, we also include jogging, running and moving with a pram or pusher, or moving with the aid of a mobility device such as a wheelchair, walking frame or the like.

Supporting more people walking more often; all ages all abilities can lead to multiple benefits to be experienced by all South Australians, including:

  • Social benefits – improved health and wellbeing, increased safety, positive placemaking and increased social cohesion.
  • Economic benefits – increased city attractiveness, boosting the local economy, increased urban regeneration and cost savings; and
  • Environmental benefits – reducing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, increased benefits to people from the natural environment, improved liveability and improved transport efficiency.

The draft South Australian Walking Strategy 2022-2032 has been developed in such a way to unite cross-government departments and agencies, key stakeholders, providers, funders and interest groups to better enable:

  • Walking for Transport – more South Australians making short trips by walking.
  • Walking for Health – more South Australians with better health and wellbeing through walking.
  • Walking for Recreation and Sport – more South Australians accessing green open space for walking.

Get involved

To find out more please:

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