Footpaths, Crossovers & Naturestrips

Learn how footpaths, crossovers, and naturestrips are managed across the Rural City of Wangaratta to support safe, accessible, and well-maintained public spaces.

Footpaths

The Rural City of Wangaratta maintains a network of footpaths to support safe pedestrian movement across urban and rural areas. Footpaths are classified into three categories based on usage and location:

• Category 3 – High Use Areas
  Includes footpaths in the Wangaratta CBD and key precincts such as schools, hospitals, libraries, and community centres.

• Category 2 – Low Use Areas
  Found in residential areas, these footpaths provide access to and from properties and cater to lower pedestrian volumes.

• Category 1 – Recreational Paths
  Includes shared pathways, rail trails, bike tracks, and walking trails used for leisure and commuting.
  
  

Council conducts proactive inspections of footpaths based on their category, with high-use areas inspected every 12 months and recreational paths every 24 months. Common defects such as vertical displacement, cracking, potholes, and vegetation overgrowth are addressed according to intervention levels and timeframes outlined in the Road Management Plan.

Footpaths are generally constructed on one side of the road, with new footpaths typically constructed by developers in accordance with approved subdivision plans and infrastructure standards. Until footpaths are formally accepted into Council’s asset register, they remain the responsibility of the developer or landowner.

Vehicle Crossovers

A vehicle crossover is the section of driveway between the road and the property boundary. Maintenance responsibilities are shared:

• Property owners are responsible for maintaining the crossover itself.
• Council is responsible for the portion of the crossover that intersects with a public footpath, where it is reasonably required for public use.

If you plan to construct or modify a crossover, you must apply for a Works in Road Reserve Permit. Fees apply to cover inspection and administration costs.

Naturestrips

Naturestrips are the landscaped areas within the road reserve, typically between the footpath and the roadway. These areas are not considered trafficable surfaces and are not maintained by Council unless part of a specific landscaping or infrastructure project.

Council does not have a statutory duty to inspect or repair naturestrips, including tree plots or grassed areas, unless they pose an immediate and significant risk to public safety.

If you notice a hazard or defect on a footpath or crossover, please contact Council’s Customer Service team on (03) 5722 0888 or submit a request online.