May 20, 2021
Toowoomba Regional Council has completed the upgrade of the Toomey Street footpath in Yarraman.
Cr Melissa Taylor said the project was part of the 2020-21 concrete footpath renewal program.
“Each year we undertake a region-wide program to improve our footpath network,” Cr Taylor said.
“The Toomey Street footpath upgrade was a community-driven project.
“The existing asphalt footpath was starting to show its age with water and communication service installations over the years contributing to an uneven surface for pedestrians.
“Patchwork repairs to the footpath alleviated the problems temporarily but ultimately a more permanent solution was required which is why we’ve upgraded the footpath with a new concrete surface.
“A design was produced in-house to work the new footpath in and around the existing infrastructure and adjacent buildings.”
At least this looks very functional and quite neat and long lasting and there will be no fancy expensive cleaning-scrubbing machine needed. At least people will be able to walk in a straight line, too, instead of getting giddy following the wiggles.
It should have a longer life, too, compared to what is in Murgon.
Wonder if any of the tourists that come to Murgon come just to look at the fancy footpath?
This is just one example of where SBRC could be a bit prudent with their spending as observing the time spent finishing, one got the feeling the final thing had to be unnecessarily expensive!
Far more sense fixing up what is needed to fix and maintain; perhaps potholes and save the people needing tyre and suspension fix-ups!
Right you are, “Amused”. Who would travel to a country town just to look at a fancy footpath?! Would it not be more important to make footpaths safe for elderly people, mums with strollers or people with walking helps. The fancy finishes must cost a mint – without them, maybe a few more metres of sidewalks could be repaired. Hats off to the Toowoomba Council for having understood this.
When I travel, I visit places that are inviting, look nice and compel me to pull in a take a look. I want to feel comfortable and enjoy a nice experience and atmosphere.
Sorry, asphalt footpaths might’ve worked in the 1960’s, but not anymore. I’m driving past without stopping!
I don’t drive about looking for a “flash” footpath and I will stop for a shop that looks attractive and inviting. Some times these good shops are not always in attractive surroundings but if the shop is good, well then I am in! I will even happily walk on deco to get to a good shop.
Re costs: Every time I went to town there seemed to be blokes around the Town Hall corner working on the footpath finish; I guess preparing and measuring and marking down the wiggles and then laying the finish. This seemed to go on almost forever and must surely have added greatly to the total cost of the footpath renewal.
Re long-term maintenance and cleanliness: Just get down close and check the finish. It is very rough and does appear that it would be quite hard for the shopkeepers to clean properly. Hence the need for Council to get a new fancy and expensive scrubber-sweeper machine.
People are not always scrupulously clean and tidy with their footpath use; spilt or tipped out sticky drinks etc topped off with dirt and dust; dropped and tramped down messy food etc.
I have even heard of a “nocturnal” deposit (not in Murgon). All this makes a shopkeeper’s life harder and a nice clean finish like sensible concrete is much easier to handle.
This all shows that Toowoomba Council does have practical members.
Agreed with Amused,
TRC has definitely showed the stark differences between them and the SBRC. Not excluding of course the rates fees as many folks have complained en masse about over the years.
Well done and thank you to the Toowoomba Regional Council.