VINCENTIA residents want Shoalhaven City Council to abandon construction of a shared path through the Bangalay Sand Forest above Orion Beach.
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A meeting of the Vincentia Ratepayers and Residents Association on Thursday, April 16, voted overwhelmingly for an environmentally friendly walking track to be constructed instead.
A committee member of the VRRA, and president of the Orion Beach Foreshore Environment Protection Association, David Hopkins, said the proposed concrete and elevated bridge path represented a waste of ratepayers’ money.
“The proposed construction will cost $1.3 million for 500 metres of shared path; council’s own capital cost estimate for the walking track is $430,000,” Mr Hopkins said.
“The shared pathway will cut a six-metre swathe through the remaining endangered forest, which is only 30 metres deep.”
He said council was already aware through its own consultative process in February that over 60 per cent of 127 written submissions from the community were against the proposal.
“Since then the council has received further information about the potential environmental damage and construction costs in excess of public estimates, but has pressed on.
“Bikes and other wheeled vehicles already have the shared path along Elizabeth Drive. Duplicating the existing path less than 100 metres away represents an unjustifiable waste of ratepayers’ money.”
Mr Hopkins said a further meeting with council and Mayor Joanna Gash was planned.
Council’s director of Corporate and Community Craig Milburn said the project had been ongoing for some time and had included extensive community consultation.
“The VRRA was all for it until a recent change of leadership,” Mr Milburn said.
He said council had signed an agreement with the federal government for a $450,000 grant to help with the project, tied to the construction of the shared path.
“This grant cannot be used for a walking trail.
“Furthermore, the proposed shared path does not duplicate what exists on Elizabeth Avenue, which crosses roads and driveways.
“The shared pathway above Orion Beach will use public land, is safer, and will be accessible to all.”
