Students heading to and from school and the public can now access a new bridge across Russells Creek.
The bridge, east of Bromfield Street, has been funded by Warrnambool City Council and St Joseph's Primary School.
Made of pre-cast concrete by a local manufacturer, the new 6.2m bridge replaces an old timber structure that had become unsafe and could no longer be used.
The bridge was officially opened today (Dec 19) by Warrnambool Mayor Cr Tony Herbert.
"This is a small but important renewal project and along with the bridge there is an additional 120m of concrete path linking the bridge to the Bromfield Street school crossing which has been moved to a safer spot north of the intersection with Barbers Lane," Cr Herbert said.
"These projects improve connections within our city, encourage more walking and in this case we're providing a safer environment for children on their way to and from school.
"The joint project with the school builds on a long-term agreement through which the school has provided public access to land along Russells Creek and on which Council has built a public path."
St Joseph's Primary School principal Michael Gray said improving pedestrian paths and links provided an opportunity for people to enjoy low-key exercise, which improved their health.
"And there are outcomes for the environment where you have alternative ways to travel," Mr Gray said.
"The path and bridge are wide too which is excellent because parents with pushers and kids on bikes can travel together.
"This is a partnership between the community and the school and it's a recreational precinct because it improves access to Aquazone and the botanic gardens."
The cost of the new bridge was $90,000.
This financial year, funded by the two per cent rate cap variation, Council is investing $374,000 on renewing 600 lineal metres of footpath which include Pertobe Road in front of the carnival site; Cannon Hill from the Portuguese monument to Pertobe Road and stretches of footpath along Russells Creek, St James Park and Gateway Road.
