Thursday, 5 November 2009

Moruya shared path granted $146,300

Councillor Keith Dance (back) was there to see Danielle Brice of the Moruya South Head Shared Pathway Committee give Dr Mike Kelly a hug after his announcement last Friday that, through a partnership with Council, the pathway will receive an economic stimulus grant of $146,300. The announcement was made in Queen Street Moruya in front of a small crowd of Council staff and pathway supporters.

Last Thursday, Dr Mike Kelly visited our shores bringing with him exciting news that will assist Eurobodalla Shire Council to improve facilities for cycling between Moruya and South Head.

The announcement, that Eurobodalla Shire Council has been granted $146,300 under the Australian Government's economic stimulus package and $40 million National Bike Paths Project, was made to a small gathering in Moruya that included Councillor Keith Dance, Council staff and representatives and supporters of the shared pathway committee.

It followed Eurobodalla Shire Council's application for support from the Federal government for a grant for works to improve cycling along the road, including the provision of a wide sealed shoulder between Congo Road and Halyard Drive, and a separate shared pathway between the Princes Highway and Keightley Street.

According to Council's Director for Roads and Recreation, Warren Sharpe, the money will be used to supplement the significant investment already made by Council on road works on South Head Road and towards the construction of a separate pathway for residents in Keightley and Maunsell Street.

"We've already completed the reconstruction and shoulder widening on South Head Road with good wide shoulders for cycling as the offset for this grant," Mr Sharpe said. "The grant will be used along with Council funding and a grant from the Roads and Traffic Authority to commence building a separate shared pathway between the Princes Highway and Keightley Street."

He said this is an expensive section of pathway involving earthworks, land acquisition, pathway construction, culvert extensions, provision of kerb and guttering, service relocation and the like.

"There are also challenges presented by the proposed developments that will front this section of South Head. We will need to talk to the developers about them funding their intersection widening as part of the project. Council is designing these elements now to make sure these features can be accommodated into the ultimate solution," he said.

Given the costs involved, it is likely that the project will take a couple of years to complete but this is a really excellent start, Mr Sharpe says. "We are aiming to commence the work prior to Christmas and utilise the funds available by June 2010. Council will then consider future allocations to complete the pathway to Keightley Street when it determines the budget for 2010/11 and beyond," he said.

"Meanwhile we are continuing to work with the volunteers on the section of shared pathway between Headland Grove and the Anchorage within South Head itself. This section is being done through the funds raised by the volunteers who are doing a fabulous job."

When the grant was announced, Danielle Brice, the person responsible for public relations for the shared pathway committee, was so delighted she hugged Dr Kelly."It was such a surprise but it shows what can be done when the community pulls together," she said.

President, John Seltenrych, said the committee is looking forward to working with Council to make the pathway a reality. "It will make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to ride out and back from South Head to Moruya."

 

 

For all media enquiries, please contact Emma Pegrum, Media Communications Officer, on T 4474 1012, M 0408 200 191 or via email to emma.pegrum@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au