This week the Central Western Daily asked for public comment about the worst footpaths and received replies that covered the region.

Some comments said people were tripping over cracks in the paths, children were having to walk down roads in new housing areas because there were no footpaths and wheelchair users were battling to manoeuvre around broken paths – particularly around aged care facilities.

Orange City Council has proposed an increase in footpath funding from about $80,000 a year to $320,000 in the next financial year, increasing to $350,000 for each of the following three years, but residents have responded to a Central Western Daily poll saying that it was not enough.

The poll has found that 78 per cent of respondents did not believe the $1.4 million proposed to be allocated to footpaths over the next four years was sufficient.

Council’s draft budget is open to public comment until June 6 and residents are encouraged to have their say on spending priorities.

Many have already had their say via the CWD’s Facebook page.

Liz Vardanega identified Anson Street.

“It is the main street people use now to go into the city centre and it's a disgrace, I see people trip over daily,” she said.

Ian Hughes said the southern side of Matthews Ave from Anson St to Burrendong Way needed a path.

“Give the school kids somewhere safe to walk to school,” he said.

John Kich named the western side of Clinton Street between National Avenue and Lamrock Avenue.

He said there were deep holes between driveway strips and tree roots.

And Stephanie Burton named an East Orange area.

“Top of Summer Street East near Park Street. Lots of school children walk along here,” she said.

Cr Reg Kidd has called for increased funding for footpaths.

“$350,000 a year is like coating the top part of your door and leaving the rest of it until next year,” he said. 

Cr Kidd said he recognised there were limited funds but there should be footpaths on all residential and city roads.

“I believe the ideal would be to have footpaths on at least one side of the road,” he said.

He said council was encouraging people to walk but not providing footpaths.

Council spokesman Allan Reeder said council had a detailed assets management system that routinely checked the quality of footpaths. 

“The system assigns a one to 10 rating to each section of footpath which helps determine where that location should come on the priority list for work,” he said.

“Footpaths which have been raised during the budget process by councillors such as the path outside Anson Street school are high on the list of work.

“The priority list for renovating footpaths and building paths in new locations will be assembled once the budget has been finalised in June.

“Now is the time for any resident to have their say about any aspect of the budget, including requests for particular locations for new paths or upgrades.”

He said people could leave their budget comments at http://yoursay.orange.nsw.gov.au/budget-2017