Constructing a footpath between a popular walking trail and coffee shop in Warragul is "not a priority."

A report considering a new footpath on the east side of Bowen St was presented to the new Baw Baw Shire councillor group, who agreed to refer the project to its budget discussions.
Cr Danny Goss, who requested the feasibility report in a general business motion in August, said he may need to admit a rare defeat - at this stage.
"I've got a mandate to do this, so I'm not going to let this go," Cr Goss vowed, labelling it one of his key campaign projects.
Councillors unanimously voted that a footpath between the Linear Trail and Sutton St had been assessed against the adopted paths and trails strategy and was not a priority for consideration. Instead, they referred the project to the 2025/26 budget.
The report estimated a 1.5 metre wide and 160m long concrete footpath link would cost $120,000.
The officer report stated the footpath would be located on a "reasonably level nature strip", although would require modifications to existing concrete driveways, potential street tree removal and kerb modifications.
Assessing the need for the footpath, the report stated "there are several paths that score higher, particularly on streets where there are currently no footpaths at all".
The report said a new footpath would "offer a positive pedestrian experience but is not currently one of the highest-ranking candidates."
"Whilst not convenient, pedestrians do have access to a footpath on the western side of Bowen St," the report stated.
The report said council allocated $300,000 per year to its new footpath program, expected to increase to $320,000 in 2025/26. There had been no opportunity for external footpath funding in recent years, but the federal government had announced a new program offering a 50 per cent co-contribution.
The top 10 projects on council's footpath priority list are: Armour Rd, Warragul; Loch St, Yarragon; Bona Vista Rd, Warragul; Copelands Rd, Warragul; Wills St, Warragul; Brandy Creek Rd, Warragul; Church St, Drouin; Copelands Rd, Warragul; Princes Way, Drouin; and, Rees Close, Drouin.
However, the report noted the candidate list currently had more than 250 segments of footpath included.
Cr Suzanne Allen said many people enjoyed and received great benefits from the cohesive trail network and saw the benefit of a path linking the trail with the new cafe, as well as nearby schools.
She said those using mobility aids or prams would greatly appreciate a footpath as would those who currently walk on the grassy nature strip.
Noting the footpath priority list may be outdated, Cr Allen amended the recommendation to allow the project to be referred to the 2025/26 budget.Cr Tricia Jones highlighted the footpath was ranked 16 on the priority list.
"We will see what happens in the years to come," Cr Jones said.
Cr Paul Pratt said he was a frequent user of this space but "I don't support it jumping the queue."
He said road safety measures on Sutton St and Bowen St were a more pressing issue, including a look at speed limits and points where the trail crosses roadways.
"Putting just one path there, I don't think is actually going to help in a big way," Cr Pratt said.
Cr Goss said the report provided the information he wanted but labelled the footpath ranking list as incorrect due to its busy location.
"My issue here has always been safety," he said. "It doesn't matter which way you spin it, people walk on the road."
"I don't want to be in a situation where something happens there to people that are walking on that road and we are responsible."
Cr Goss said "I'm going to go so hard on getting this one in because it needs to be done."
"Paths, trail and footpaths is what people elected us to do. I think that this is a definite priority in Warragul."