Council secured funding from the Australian Government through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program to construct approximately 1.7km of an all-weather pathway in the township of Bemm River. The pathway will be a combination of concrete footpaths and wooden boardwalks in areas subject to inundation.

Bemm River was severely impacted by the Black Summer bushfires, at times completely surrounded by the fire front, and isolated for weeks while the Princes Highway was cut. The community also had to endure power outages and issues with food, water and fuel supplies. The development and implementation of safe pedestrian access in Bemm River was identified as a priority during the recovery process, and in the Bemm River Community Plan.

Project objective and scope

The objective of this project is to improve physical and mental health for the community through the provision of safer and more accessible walking and cycling paths, and increased opportunity for informal gatherings and conversations. The footpaths will support people of all ages and abilities to actively move around town, in a safe and comfortable manner.

Concept planning was conducted by Council’s Infrastructure Projects team, who have a high level of experience in the delivery of footpath projects across the Shire.

Scope for this project includes:

• New 1,500 mm wide concrete footpath, 125mm thick, grade N32 concrete with SL72 mesh placed on 75mm compacted depth of class 2 Fine Crushed Rock (FCR).
• New 2,000 mm wide boardwalk with 30 mm thick (18.5 kg/sq.m) fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) mini mesh on treated pine bearers founded on driven treated pine piles.
• All new footpaths are to be constructed in accordance with IDM SD 205 and footpath surfaces are to be constructed with a non-slip broom finish.
• Existing concrete driveways intersecting the footpath will be reinstated and other driveways trimmed to match footpath levels and resurfaced with 100 mm compacted depth of FCR.

Project activities include detailed designs and approvals; delivery (tendering and procurement), awarding contract, site establishment, construction works, final inspections and project closure including project handover and project opening.

Community engagement

Significant community engagement was undertaken with the Bemm River Community, including several community meetings. 

As part of the recovery process, Council Place Managers have been working in the community to understand the community needs and priorities. The Bemm River Community has been exceptionally practical about this process. From all the possible priorities to work toward, the Bemm River community strongly supported the development of the footpaths identified in the 2014 Urban Design framework. 

Funding for this project is provided by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.

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