Getting a pedestrian network right across a city with as much heritage architecture as Ballarat is a challenge, especially when the aim is making it accessible to everyone.
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The City of Ballarat's Integrated Transport Plan, which will inform decisions on how people get around the city for years to come, will go in front of council soon.
Among the strategies are improving the pedestrian network, which will then improve every other public transport network across the city.
Transport and disability advocates have repeatedly emphasised how important accessibility is - according to the Public Transport User Association's Ballarat convenor Ben Lever, "just one missing piece of the puzzle can make the whole journey impossible".
"If an accessible bus pulls up at an accessible stop but there's no footpath to your house, you might very well be stuck," he said.
He gave several examples of places where attention could be focused quickly, including completing a network of accessible bus stops, but noted many solutions would require co-operation from all levels of government.
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"The five-way roundabout on Creswick Road is a really pedestrian-hostile place, even though it's right on the edge of the CBD and adjacent to the Library and GovHub - and for some people, on their walk to the train station.
"Not only does it have pretty hectic traffic coming from several directions at once, and no pedestrian priority whatsoever, but the stairs on the western side are quite challenging for many. It's not just people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters - for people who are ambulant but perhaps walk a bit slowly and gingerly, this intersection is an absolute nightmare.
The Bridge Mall is also one of the "more accessible places in the city," he added, but said it was "disappointing" council was planning to reopen it to cars.
Main Road also received more accessible bus stops after a state government grant was received in 2018.
"Council should make a fully accessible transport network something they prioritise in their own budget, but it would also be great to see more state and federal governments grants for this kind of thing," Mr Lever said.
"These kinds of really small-scale works can be quick to implement, cheap to build, and provide long-lasting benefits for the community - which is exactly the kind of government stimulus measure our economy needs right now."
A focal point is the historic Ballarat train station, which still requires people who are unable to use the wooden bridge to change platforms to go to the road crossing.
With the increased works at the precinct, including a new car park, with disabled parking spaces, and eventually a new bus interchange, getting the plan right to improve access is becoming increasingly important.
It's understood a plan for an overpass at the station has been submitted to the state government but is now awaiting funding.
A spokesperson for the state government did not confirm this, but noted the station had received accessibility upgrades recently.
"We're always looking for ways to make public transport easier for everyone to use and we've delivered $100,000 worth of accessibility improvements at the Ballarat Station," they said in a statement.
"New automated doors have made it easier to access important facilities including bathrooms and the station's café, while improved signage, tactile surface ground indicators and lighting has improved access for people with visual impairments."
The City of Ballarat was also cautious in calling for improvements at the station, noting it was a state government operated facility, owned by VicTrack and managed by V/Line.
"The Ballarat Station is an historical feature of Ballarat. Impact on its heritage values would need consideration in any changes to the site," a spokesperson said in a statement.
"Council has been advocating for the Ballarat Station precinct to include best practice accessibility between platforms."
In the mean time, the Integrated Transport Plan will be the priority - smaller projects like identifying the Principal Pedestrian Network are foundations on the way to making sure the city is ready for population growth.
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"Universal accessibility was a major priority in the draft plan, which has received strong community support," the spokesperson added.
"Accessibility improvements at major transport hubs was also supported, as was the long-term need to address universal access more widely across all streets, public spaces and in the design of new built elements of the City into the future.
"These issues are a major concern for City of Ballarat's Disability Advisory Committee, which includes a membership of a range of disability advocacy groups from the region. The draft Ballarat Integrated Transport Action Plan seeks to prioritise and further elevate the importance of addressing these issues."
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