Focus on footpaths after Wagga City council spends no cash on network in 2019/20 financial year

It was indicated in the council's end of year combined delivery program and operational plan's performance report that no footpath projects were undertaken to improve connections and increase connectivity.

Bourkelands resident Robert Baliva said that there needs to be consistent money allocated to allow for maintenance and expansion of the footpath network, particularly in the city's suburban areas.

It is a common sight, he said, to find pedestrians relying on roads for their daily exercise, as well as children riding their bikes around the family-friendly suburbs.

"It is unusual that there aren't more (footpaths)," he said.

Wagga councillor Dan Hayes said the council needs a strategic approach to ensure the footpath network grows in a way that connects residents to schools, shopping and recreational centres and parks.

Cr Hayes said Lake Albert, for example, has a walking track around the water, but there are no footpaths to allow residents to easily get there by foot.

"Not every street should get a footpath, that's an overkill," he said. However, Cr Hayes said he did not want to see another backlog of footpaths build up in five years time that requires the council to play catch up.

"I think it should be the core business of what the council does. There are a number of places where the network is disconnected ... ramps as well will allow people with mobility vehicles and the like get up and down," he said.

"It is looking at those things, which are an essential part of the Wagga community to be honest."