$11.5 million boost for regional active transport
The Camden Haven will soon have access to a stunning, coastal shared path spanning 11 kilometres as part of an $11.5 million funding boost to regional walking and cycling projects across the state.
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said 67 new active transport projects across regional NSW would be funded as part of the State Government’s $110 million Get NSW Active program.
“From Port Macquarie to Parramatta, Bathurst to Byron Bay, we have a strong pipeline of active transport projects to get communities across NSW walking and cycling more,” Mr Stokes said.
“This investment will help councils deliver vital local projects, so we don’t have footpaths that lead to nowhere, bike lanes that end abruptly, and public spaces that are inaccessible to the elderly, disabled or parents pushing prams.”
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the NSW Government had provided more than $3.1 million in funding towards active transport projects in Port Macquarie and the Camden Haven.
“A $2.9 million grant will help deliver another link in the long-awaited 11 kilometre continuous shared path between the North Haven breakwall and Pilot Beach,” Mrs Williams said.
“The Beach to Beach Riverwalk is a great budget friendly way for families to get out and about and is a major drawcard to the area, boosting visitor spending in our cafes and shops.
“A further $200,000 will fund the design of new and extended footpaths to make getting around our community easier and safer.”
Key projects funded across regional NSW under Tranche 1 and 2 of the Get NSW Active program include:
- Design of Wagga Wagga’s Active Travel Plan Stage 3, including a 15.2 kilometre shared path and pedestrian bridge over the Murrumbidgee River.
- Construction of a 440 metre missing link in the Victoria Park Shared Path, from Victoria Park High School to the Tamworth Regional Astronomy Centre.
- Design of an accessible pathway to the Byron Bay Lighthouse for pedestrians or people with prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and bicycles.
- Construction of a 220 metre footpath extension on Barton Avenue, Lithgow to connect residents to public transport links.
- Design of an 8.9 kilometre shared path connecting Cessnock to Abermain
- The construction of a pathway connection along Edinburgh Drive, Taree that will link the Ingenia Gardens Retirement Village to the Taree CBD.
Get NSW Active received 474 applications from councils across the state with the first two of four tranches allocating $40 million in funding for 67 regional projects and 55 metropolitan projects across the Six Cities.
Successful projects in tranches 3 and 4 will be announced in the coming months.
A full list of the successful regional applicants is available here.
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