Project on the Right (Shared) Path
A new shared pathway will improve connectivity and encourage locals and visitors to ditch the car and explore South Mission Beach on foot or on bike.
Councillor Trudy Tschui said that the new 225 metre shared pathway would provide a crucial connection; connecting Wongaling Beach to South Mission, allowing more people to walk or ride safely.
“With more people walking and riding than ever before, Council is progressing a number of plans across the region to make walking or cycling the safe and convenient way to get around our towns. This includes the Bingil Bay pathway, which is currently under construction.
“These projects follow the demonstrated growth in walking and riding across Queensland and Australia. The 2021 National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey revealed that 4.89 million Queenslanders (about 95.9 percent of the population) walk every week, and that the number of people riding on a weekly basis had increased by around 6 percent since the previous survey was conducted in 2019.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the State Government was proud to support Cassowary Coast Regional Council to deliver better active transport facilities.
"The Palaszczuk Government is investing $400,000 in the shared pathway, creating safer bike-riding infrastructure so more people are riding, more often, and staying healthy," Mr Bailey said.
“We know that on average, every dollar we spend on bike-riding infrastructure returns nearly five dollars in economic benefit, in better health outcomes, less traffic congestion, and lower transport costs.
"That's why we have committed $268.8 million in funding over four years to support and encourage bike riding by improving facilities for locals and tourists alike.”
Councillor Tschui said that the project will involve installing a concrete shared path that will be 3 metres to 2.5 metres wide that will run along South Mission Beach Road, near Seafarer and Commodore Streets. It will also include extending an existing concrete culvert and formalising drainage by installing new underground drainage infrastructure and kerb and channel.
Works will commence from early April 2023 and are expected to complete by late June 2023, subject to weather and site conditions. Nearby residents may experience minor noise impacts from machinery.
“During works, minor vegetation removal will be required to allow installation of the pathway. All efforts will be made to minimise any vegetation impacts. The majority, but not all of the vegetation clearance will occur next to the drain and is primarily weeds and other invasive species."
This project is jointly funded by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and the Queensland Government’s Cycle Network Local Government Grants program.
For further information please contact Council at 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.
Media Contact: Charlton Hart (Minister Bailey) – 0400 431 443