Loddon Tracks and Trails Strategy - Loddon Shire Council

7.0 Planning and Design
People will make decisions whether or not to use a specific track or trail based on the
person’s own specific needs, balanced against what type of opportunities and amenities
the track or trail can offer them. Each person's needs will vary according to:
• their fitness level
• their mobility level
• their age
• their health
• their previous experiences (either negative or positive)
• time available to take part in physical activity
• the weather
• their access to appropriate equipment (e.g. bicycle, horse, canoe, walking shoes)
• the degree to which they want to be challenged
• their preference for particular types of surfaces, scenery, attractions en route and
gradients.
It is not possible for one trail to meet the needs of all people. Hence, wherever possible,
it is important to provide a range of different types of trails throughout the municipality.
The following section provides a brief overview of the needs of different user groups.
7.1 Needs of Walkers
According to the Victorian Trails Strategy 27 the majority of people who choose to walk in
metropolitan and regional parks in Victoria undertake short walks of up to one hour (84%
for National Parks and 67% for Metropolitan Parks). Many people using the metropolitan
parks will be local residents who live nearby. Long walks of more than 4 hours or day
walks are undertaken by only 8.5% of visitors to National Parks.
People who undertake walks of less than four hours generally require:
• Short, accessible trails
• Return / loop trails
• Secure car parking at trip beginning / end
• Directional signage
• Access to drinking water
• Safe trails that are well maintained
• Information about the trail
• Suitable amenities that reflect the purpose and length of the trail, e.g. seats,
picnic areas, toilets, etc.
People who undertake a day walk or extended day walk tend to have the following
requirements, according to information supplied by Bushwalking Victoria 28 :
27
Victorian Trails Coordinating Committee – “Victorian Trails Strategy – 2005-2010” (2005)
28
David Rimmer, Tracks Development Officer of Bushwalking Victoria – personal interview
(19/9/08)
31