RELATED STORY: Active look at local transport
“A CRITICAL need” for bike paths and all-weather activity trails will be addressed in a plan to develop a shared path between Swan Hill and Lake Boga, according to Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh.
Currently in its infancy, the project will look into the development of a 15km sealed bike and walking path between the towns.
The path complements Swan Hill Rural City Council’s recently announced Active Transport Strategy, which is aimed at breaking down barriers to active transport in the community.
Mr Walsh said $24,000 from the Regional Growth Fund would be provided to SHRCC to assist with conducting a feasibility study into the development.
“I must admit as a longer term vision, I’d like to think that this is the first stage of what might be [a walking and cycling path] that could go between Kerang and Swan Hill…”
SHRCC and Lake Boga Inc will each commit $3000 towards the initiative, while Swan Hill Inc will contribute $5000 in-kind — a total cost of $35,000.
The study will determine the viability and location of the path, and what the outcomes may be for social wellbeing.
“I think it is a very good investment, and hopefully the business case will prove that it can be done and it will be a great asset to the area for people who either live out here and want to ride or walk into Swan Hill, or vice versa,” Mr Walsh said.
“I must admit as a longer term vision, I’d like to think that this is the first stage of what might be [a walking and cycling path] that could go between Kerang and Swan Hill, for argument’s sake.
“From a tourism point of view, cycling — or active tourism — is getting more popular all the time.”
With many people taking on increasingly sedentary lifestyles, SHRCC Mayor Les McPhee said it was important for council to provide these facilities.
“We have got to supply these things,” Cr McPhee said.
“Because we are very IT literate in the community, we are sitting a lot, so we have got to make the effort to get out, and providing these sorts of facilities will give people that opportunity to get out and get involved.
“[It is hoped the study will show] the fact that we can get it built down the track and that the business case will stack up and that we can then go back to government and for the funding.”
Following confusion with the walking path at Lake Boga as to whether it was built to be shared with bicycles, Cr McPhee made it clear this path would be for both.
“We are going to ensure that we allow for both — cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
It has not yet been determined who will undertake the study.
Meanwhile, Mr Walsh also visited the levee bank under construction at Pental Island on Friday.
After the levee was damaged in the 2011 floods, the $460,000 project will realign a 3.3km section of the levee wall along the Murray River.
The upgrade is expected to conclude later this month.
