Only six Peninsula bike paths in list of 142
Only six bike path projects on the Peninsula have been identified by Central Coast Council in the 142 projects adopted in its Bike Plan and Central Coast Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan.
Priority for the projects range from 40 to 72.
Another three projects, for Woy Woy Rd, Veron Rd and Bourke Rd, are not on the priority list.
Listed as priority 40 is a three metre wide 241 metre shared path along Ocean Beach Rd from Gallipoli Ave at a cost of $1000 a metre.
Other sections of Ocean Beach Rd are listed as priority 48, between Dunban Rd and Rawson Rd, and priority 49, between Waterloo Ave and Dunban Rd.
Priority 43 is 351 metres of shared path on Victoria Rd, Woy Woy.
Priority 54 is for a 1374 metre shared path along Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy, between McMaster Rd and Victoria Rd.
At priority 72 is 229 metres of shared path on Maitland Bay Dr between Booker Bay Rd and Orange Grove Rd.
The report adopted by council at its September 9 meeting stated that the next stage of the bike plan was to pursue funding sources to establish an ongoing budget and to establish an implementation program over the next five years.
It recommended the bike plan be reviewed every two to three years and updated accordingly.
Funding options included State and Federal Government grants, developer contributions under Section 7.11 and 7.12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
The pedestrian plan listed 109 priorities.
The report to council said funding would depend on budget allocations and success in seeking grants from State and Federal governments.
The focus areas included Woy Woy.
Within these areas, shopping centres and main streets as well as key pedestrian "generators" such as aged care or child care centre, parks and community halls became targets for a hierarchy of pedestrian needs.
It said Woy Woy - the largest population of all the districts - had a previous pedestrian and mobility plan published by the former Gosford City Council in 2004 which noted barriers such as lip, step or no kerb ramps, major cracking and raised paving, poorly placed trees and bus shelters and lack of tactile indicators at major crossings.
Its recommendations were considered in the latest plan.
However, the highest priority given to a Peninsula project was priority 32 for Lone Pine Ave and Carpenter Sts, Umina, 1145 metres of footpath.
The Esplanade at Ettalong, Ocean Beach Rd, Umina, and Welcome St, Woy Woy, were among other projects on the priority list, which would be completed within one to three years.
The report noted that works prioritised may shows paths that have been constructed prior to the completion of the report.
Funding needed for the first priority areas in Woy Woy total $2.8m.
Mayor Cr Jane Smith said the Bike Plan and PAMP were created following an extensive community consultation process.
"Our community made it clear to us that improving and expanding our pathway network is a top priority for them and we've listened," Mayor Smith said.
"To develop these critical plans, we addressed community feedback from a specific consultation process and from the development of The One Central Coast Community Strategic Plan 2018-2028.
"The plans outline our commitment to deliver accessible footpaths, bike paths and shared pathways that complete missing links, loop around our scenic waterways and improve connections that offer a healthy and environmentally friendly transport option.
"Creating safe and accessible pathways is a priority - wherever possible we will construct pathways that can be used and enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, parents and carers with prams, and people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
"The Bike Plan and PAMP will also assist us in applying for grant funding to deliver important projects that have been identified."
SOURCES:
Central Coast Council agenda 3.3, 8 Sep 2019
Media Releases, 9 and 10 Sep 2019
Jane Smith, Central Coast Council