After several years and substantial revenue directed towards the promotion of three costly pedestrian/cycling plans in 2003, 2009 and 2010 and not a single reference to area topography, Manningham council had belatedly responded to resident concerns by agreeing to employ a consultant to determine if the gradients, particularly the south and western precincts, were within safety limits.

The key entry streets to both sectors, Lawson and Short, have gradients of twelve per cent–four times the standard guidelines according to Bicycle Victoria’s web page on hills, gradients and slopes. The page, part of Bicycle Victoria’s good design code, describes the potential hazards of cyclists speeding down steep slopes and the risk to walkers and riders ascending. It goes on to say that under natural conditions a maximum gradient of three per cent is acceptable providing flat sections (landings) are installed at twenty metre intervals. However in high density areas such as envisaged for Doncaster Hill, where a wide diversity of uses could be the physically impaired a maximum gradient of two per cent is recommended. Manningham council finally scrapped the plan 10 years after it was first proposed, questions were raised on whether it was ever intended and if it was left on the brochures to be seen as meeting the ideals of an Activity Centre, particularly by overseas investors. There are safe paths on the flat areas surrounding the freeway which could be suitable for city workers but the time factor could be a deterrent.