The local MP, Adam Marshall, came to Melling Park in west Glen Innes on Tuesday to announce $516,000 to put in new equipment in that park, but also to create what he called a “Wellness Trail” to encourage people to walk rather than get in their cars.

At the moment, there is a short cut from west Glen Innes to the centre of town but it involves clambering over the disused railway line. With the new money, a footbridge would be built ”so people can easily connect via foot from this side of Glen Innes to the other side”.

He continued: “Already it’s a very well trafficked area but people jump on and off the station walk across the railway line.This will make that route much safer, much easier for people on bikes, wheelchairs, pushing prams, people just on foot.”

He said Melling Park was “a beautiful open space but very underutilized. Council will be installing some fitness equipment and also some brand new playground equipment for people young and old in the community to enjoy.

“Hopefully, with council upgrading this park and also creating an easily accessible pedestrian link, people will think about, instead of jumping into their cars to go to the other side of town, people will think about walking across or riding their bike or pushing the pram and taking the kids.”

“You’ve got a beautiful park on this side for people to enjoy, but also to make it as easy as possible through really good infrastructure for people to walk into town rather than driving.

“And by doing that encourage a lot more people to be active rather than simply using their car for what is a very short trip”.