The announcement this week of a further $2.18 million investment by NSW Government for the construction of another Nambucca Shire cycleway, means it will soon be possible to pedal from Nambucca Heads all the way to Upper Warrell Creek Rd.
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This latest grant is for a path linking Florence Wilmont Drive in Nambucca Heads to Nursery Road in North Macksville.
The Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, said the idea was to target areas where the most short trips occur, therefore making communities more liveable and accessible, as well as safer.
“We are encouraging people to leave the car at home and get active,” Mrs Pavey said.
The council’s General Manager, Michael Coulter, said the council’s surveyor had done some preliminary work on the route.
“Work is expected to begin later this year … but some property boundaries may need to be adjusted first,” Mr Coulter said.
Cycleways were also an agenda item at last week’s council meeting – this time the one currently under construction from Boundary St, Macksville to Upper Warrell Creek Rd.
The council was asked to note the engagement of a concreting contractor to construct a 625m section of the route.
Cr Brian Finlayson said while he understood this and other cycleway projects were a fait accompli, he questioned the benefit of all the money spent.
“We have these magnificent trails and I hardly see anyone using them,” Cr Finlayson said.
Cr Susan Jenvey said she saw significant use of the tracks and this latest addition (Nambucca Heads to Macksville) was the missing link.
“This is fantastic – bike paths are a tourist attraction. This could offer opportunities for bike hire businesses – it’s beaut,” Cr Jenvey said.
Cr Martin Ballangarry asked why Bowraville was not included in the routes.
“Why are we not encouraging cycling in that town? It is a great ride out and around this rugged valley,” he said.
The Mayor, Rhonda Hoban, said the funding came from the Roads and Maritime Service and was specifically for pathways along the old highway.
“We don’t have the freedom to choose in this case,” Cr Hoban said.
The funding is part of an $80 million programme under the Restart NSW initiative for important priorities and in addition to Active Transport Program funding.
For more information visit: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/walking-and-cycling.
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