Shoalhaven City Council’s draft walking tracks plan will soon go on exhibition following suggestions and comments from community and bushcare groups in the region.

The plan will prioritise walking tracks in order to attract council maintenance funds and also to provide a basis for state and federal grant applications.

As part of the plan it is also proposed to create a webpage containing a list of walks in each village and town, with maps and features including walk difficulty, access and length.

Council’s policy and planning manager Neil Southorn said a print version would also be available.

“The Internet is proving a more popular way to access information and it will provide people with maps and information about walks on council property,” he said.

Mr Southorn said the draft plan indicates the growing popularity of ecotourism and walking as a primary attraction for visitors to the Shoalhaven region.

He said it was important for tourism and the health of local residents to promote local walks and to update a list of priorities for funding opportunities.

Local bushcare and parkcare groups will be more involved in the maintenance and care of walking tracks.

He said the plan not only caters for existing tracks, including the Lake Conjola Boardwalk and Ulladulla’s One Track for All, but also includes planning for new walks.

Council has to date only budgeted $12,000 per year to the maintenance of almost 60 kilometres of walking tracks throughout the city.

The draft plan will see that budget increased to $34,000 next year and gradually increased over the next five years to $115,000 in 2015/16.

The draft plan was expected to be adopted at last night’s council meeting and will soon be on display for public comment on council’s website and at the Ulladulla and Nowra offices.