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1
October 2020
Looks
like a pedestrian and bike lane area on the Eastern side of Boomerang
Drive at South Boomerang Beach has been rejected by Midcoast Council
officers. Response exert follows.
To clarify, the proposed pathway is not proposed to be an exclusive cycleway. It also does not meet the design criteria for a ‘shared path’. Therefore, the proposed on road path can only be marked as being for pedestrians.
The highest priority identified through the engagement process for the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) / Bike Plan in the Pacific Palms area is the extension of the existing network. This includes projects to extend the existing pathway network which is located on the western side of Boomerang Beach (e.g. extend north of the School through Elizabeth Beach and to The Lakes Way).
A draft version of the PAMP/ Bike Plan will shortly be presented to Council before being placed on public exhibition during November 2020. I expect that the final plan, incorporating any changes resulting from the public exhibition/submission to be adopted by the end of this year.
15
May 2019;
After
negotiations with Mid Coast Council officer Robert Scott, the advice was
that Council would have difficulties with supporting a pathway on the
Eastern side of Boomerang Drive from Headland Road to the entry at South
Boomerang Beach. As such, the grant application mentioned below will be
allowed to laps.
An
alternate plan was tabled to re-mark the traffic lanes on Boomerang
Drive to move traffic to the western side of Boomerang Drive and include
a new bike lane of aprox 1.5 to 2 mtrs wide on the eastern side of
Boomerang Drive at this location. Also a safer pedestrian crossing area
to the beach entry across Boomerang Drive near the corner to Redgum
Road.
This
proposal has merit and if implemented will make crossing Boomerang Drive
in this location, easier with the option of using the bike lane as a
part pedestrian area to the South Boomerang Beach entry.
The
proposal does not address a safe area in the area for residents to
maintain the steep hillside of the council owned grass verge along the
properties of 168, 160 and 158 Boomerang Drive.
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23 April 2019;
A submission to the
NSW Government 'My Community Grants Program' has been lodged for a
proposed pathway to Boomerang Beach at the eastern
side of Boomerang Drive from Headland Road to the beach entry at
South Boomerang Beach.
We would like to
engage Midcoast Council's support for our submission and proposal.
Details have been
set to;
Mayor David West, Deputy
Mayor Katheryn Smith and Councillors Kathryn Bell, Brad
Christensen, Peter Epov, Troy Fowler, Karen Hutchinson, Dr David Keegan,
Jan McWilliams, Claire Pontin, Len Roberts
The Proposal;
An access pathway
on the eastern side of this part of Boomerang Drive at South Boomerang
Beach would ensure all community members including local residents,
holiday home owners and the holidaying public can enjoy a safe easy
access to the beach that is not available at the moment from this area.
We all enjoy the Beach and everyone should be able to walk safely
to the local beach. The only access to Boomerang Beach from the eastern
part of Boomerang Drive is by crossing busy Boomerang Drive with bends
and blind spots making the street crossing difficult and dangerous to
people including children and families and less mobile members of the
community as well as holidaying public visiting the area.
Tourism is a vital part or the economy on the Mid North Coast and
Boomerang Beach at Pacific Palms is no exception.
Public pedestrian
safety is always a top priority in any Local Government area.
This project will
provide a new walking path from Headland Road to the beach and a low
soil retaining wall along the hillside. The pathway will help create a
safe walkway to the beach and eliminate the need to cross this busy road
to access the beach.
Scott Nicholson - Manager
Transport Assets was contacted and inspected the area in 2016 and has
been contacted since to have this project considered by Great Lakes
Council and have this project initiative underway.
The
NSW Government has now the "My Community Grants Program"
for funding of community programs of between $20,000. and
$200,000. and in their literature they have included pathways as
eligible for grants.
Scott Nicholson
sent the grant details to Katrina Carlon - Grants Co-ordinator.
We are asking for
Midcoast Council to agreed to support and manage the creation of the new
pathway and retaining wall from Headland Road to the southern entrance
to Boomerang Beach.
If the project is successful, the pathway could be constructed
before the summer season of tourists and holidaying property owners.
Benefits: • Resolve this Pedestrian safety issue • Safer and
easier beach access • Improved tourism opportunities • Children and
Family friendly and safety • Safer access to the beach • Improved
lifestyle for local residents and holiday home owners.
Any support to the
pathway proposal on the eastern side of Boomerang Drive and support to
the funding proposal would be appreciated.
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