One of the biggest gaps in the walking and cycling network between Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga could finally be closed, with the City of Coffs Harbour chasing funding for a $2.8 million shared path through lush bush beside the Pacific Highway.
The proposed path would run from Charlesworth Bay Drive at Korora to Diggers Beach Road, opposite the Big Banana. Walkers, cyclists, and the Korora Public School community would all benefit.
Councillors voted unanimously to back an application for $1.4 million from the Federal Government’s Active Transport Fund. If the grant comes through, the City will match it with $1.4 million from its Community Facilities Reserve.
“I think everyone is happy to support the funding bid as this stretch is a key missing link in our shared path network between Coffs and Woolgoolga,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams.
The project covers the full design and construction of a three-metre-wide off-road shared path.
The planned route would follow cleared maintenance tracks used for water and sewer infrastructure, so there would be minimal disturbance to the native forest.
City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick said the link between Korora and the T-section opposite the Big Banana was a priority part of the strategic active transport network between Coffs and the Northern Beaches.
“The project would close a significant gap between existing and committed active transport infrastructure,” Mr Beswick said.
“The proposed route would see a concrete path for most of the length, including a short section of boardwalk – ending at Diggers Beach Road in the south where users could cross the road at a planned wombat crossing (an elevated zebra crossing, so named because the structure resembles in shape a wombat mound).”
The Commonwealth’s Active Transport Fund offers $50 million a year. State and territory governments and local councils can apply for up to $5 million per project, ideally with a 50 per cent co-contribution.
The City is also pushing ahead with the West Coffs Shared Path network. Detailed design has been finished with funding from Transport for NSW.
The next step is building the first stage, at a cost of about $5 million. The City believes the best funding source for that would be the State Government’s Get NSW Active program.
“Importantly, the path will improve connections between residential communities, schools, recreation destinations, workplaces and major tourism attractions,” Mayor Williams said.
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