Bike path for Kolora Way bridge?

Story and photo: Jeff Dawson

Could the long-delayed plan to build a pedestrian and cycle path on the Kolora Way bridge near New Brighton finally be getting a kick along?

For years locals wanting to ride or walk along New Brighton Road between North Ocean Shores and New Brighton have had to navigate a precariously narrow path as they cross the bridge next to Yelgun Creek or take their chances on the busy road.

The solution has seemed obvious: expand the bridge to include a shared pedestrian and cycle path so cyclists and pedestrians can cross safely, and then extend that path beyond the bridge to the point where the road widens again.

But more than a decade after this plan was first hatched, the perilous crossing remains unchanged.

This week Byron Shire Councillor Janet Swain (Labor) will attempt to get the plan going again by moving a motion that Council prioritises the planning, design, and construction of a path on the north side of the road.

Cr Swain is also proposing that Council investigate an interim solution involving moving the traffic lanes south so that a temporary bike and pedestrian path can be created.

‘The Kolora Way/New Brighton Road bridge has been the subject of several Council reports and resolutions over the past decade with little or no progress,’ Cr Swain said in comments accompanying the motion.

‘Many alternatives have been proposed, including a detour via Canowindra Court and a shared path on the south side of the road with two crossings. But the community has consistently supported a separated shared path on the north side of the road extending from Redgate Road to Kolora Way.’

Seems simple enough.

Native vegetation and wetland habitat removal

However, as Cr Swain has acknowledged, the presence of coastal wetland habitat in close proximity to the crossing significantly complicates the plan.

It means that before building a permanent path on the northern side of the road, Council would have to go through a very costly environmental assessment process.

‘It has been determined in previous reports that any incursion into these wetlands will trigger a requirement for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with an estimated cost of $250,000,’ Cr Swain said.

‘This initial stumbling block has thus far prevented any progress on this project.

‘The interim solution proposed above will hopefully avoid the requirement for an EIS while improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists at minimal cost. The permanent solution will likely trigger an EIS but given the community’s strong preference for a path on the northern side of the road, this cost is unavoidable.’

However, while Council staff are supportive of Cr Swain’s efforts to move forward with the plan, her proposed interim solution has met with a cautious response.

‘The motion proposes staff investigate shifting traffic lanes southward to create a narrow pathway within the existing road reserve and outside mapped wetlands,’ staff said in relation to the interim plan.

‘This would involve road widening a section of Kolora Way from east of the bridge at the length required to avoid the coastal wetland mapping boundary, of approximately 60m length.

‘Existing native vegetation of significance is located adjacent to the road alignment on the southern side of Kolora Way. The proposed interim solution would require vegetation to be removed to realign the traffic lanes, which would need to be supported with [a] Review of Environmental Factors (REF) report.’

There is thus a risk that, despite Cr Swain’s best efforts, the status quo will remain until a funding source can be found.

Should Cr Swain’s motion be successful, Council staff will be asked to explore external funding sources, including Transport for NSW Active Transport grants and federal programs.

The matter will come up for discussion and a vote at this Thursday’s Council meeting (December 11).