Blue Mountains residents could soon enjoy a rollout of new footpaths if funding changes are adopted at the next council meeting.
Ward 2 Labor Cr Romola Hollywood will present a plan to increase funding for footpaths across all wards over the next four years at the September 24 meeting.
With the backing of Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill, the proposal is likely to be implemented.
"The currently allocated spending for curbing and guttering and footpaths across the Blue Mountains is too low - way too low," said the mayor. "It needs to be increased and there must be more of it across all parts of the Mountains.
"Cr Hollywood has been lobbying me for various projects and she has agreed to bring a notice of motion to council at the next opportunity to increase the funding across the Mountains in the next four-year delivery plan.
"I have asked Cr Hollywood to take a motion to council that directs staff to place this increase in the next delivery program and asks that the increased allocation is spread across all wards based on needs and not politics.
Cr Hollywood said community members "repeatedly raise with us the need to improve pedestrian access and safety on our local roads".
"This issue is experienced across the Mountains. Today with more cars on our skinny Mountains roads, it is no longer safe in many areas to walk on the edge of the road.
"As Labor councillors, we have championed the development of the council's Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP). This plan prioritises areas of greatest need across the Mountains but it is frustrating for all of us when there is not enough funding to implement the plan," said Cr Hollywood.
"In addition, officers have said to us they will be commencing another review of the PAMP in November this year. Our notice of motion aims to show our community that we are serious about allocating funding to implement this plan and prioritising the goal of improving pedestrian access and safety across our community."
Mayor Greenhill emphasised: "This announcement will benefit all wards and every part of the Blue Mountains. This plan will prioritise needs and will operate regardless of council ward boundaries."
Both councillors said they believe there is money in council's budget that can be reprioritised to increase funding for footpaths, curbs and guttering across the city.
