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62 Business View Australia - March-April 2016
PUBLIC WORKS &
maintained is critical for the safety of
residents. Yarra has 491 kilometres
of footpath and Council upgrades
approximately 10,000 square meters
of footpath every year at a cost of
about $2.1 million.
In another first, Council has
taken an innovative approach to
community safety by introducing
footpaths made of rubberised
asphalt. This rubber matting product
has been trialled in Nicholson
Street and George Street in Fitzroy
and McKean Street in North Fitzroy,
with plans to extend its use to other
areas.
The matting minimises long-term
maintenance costs and improves
skid resistance. Additionally, it is
better than asphalt as a footpath
made of this traditional material
cracks and breaks when the roots of
some species of trees push through
the surface. Rubber matting, on the
other hand, can be rolled back to
allow tree roots to be trimmed before
being re-laid.
Water Sensitive
Urban Design
It is the state government’s policy to
reduce the use of potable water in
public open spaces. In its effort to
comply with this policy, Council has
adopted a Water Sensitive Urban
Design policy that seeks to integrate
sustainable water management
principles into Council asset
management practices.