THE Laurieton United Services Club was the venue for a lively community meeting held by the Beach to Beach Shared Pathway Committee on Tuesday, 31 March.
More than 180 people joined Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer, Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts, Council General Manager Robert Fish, and Director of Community Infrastructure Ben Wood to hear an update on the proposed completion.
The room was decorated with artwork from Laurieton Public School students showcasing their ideas around the pathway.
Committee President Penny Small opened the meeting by discussing the history of the project which, when complete, will result in a continuous off-road route from North Haven to Pilot Beach via Laurieton and Dunbogan.
“This project began in 2013 with a vision of a safe and continuous pathway,” she said.
If we design for the most vulnerable people, we design for everyone, and research shows that designated pathways can reduce traffic accidents by 57 percent.”
Most residents spoke in favour of the proposal, as did representatives of the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce and Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie.
The estimated cost of the final three-kilometre section is $8 million; with the Council representatives present clarifying that the funds would need to be sourced from State and Federal governments.
Due to the significant costs and extensive work required including water main relocation, it is likely that this last section will be done in part lengths rather than all at once.
Several present raised concerns about the danger currently posed by pedestrians and cyclists on the section of Camden Head Road between Scarborough Way and the boat ramp at Gogley’s Lagoon, reaffirming the necessity of the work.
However, a vocal group of residents who reside near that section expressed frustration around the pathway design.
Angus Morrison told News Of The Area, “The hand railing that is being installed in that section will completely ruin the view from those properties.
“We are very much against the proposed railing and would prefer to see bollards installed.”
The Committee stated that environmental protection, cost, and safety were the main drivers of the finalised design and scope.
By Rachael THORPE
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