CORLETTE residents are divided over the need for a pathway through the village and around the headland.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Port Stephens Council has begun to investigate the project and others across the local government area as part of its pathways plan.
Resident Marian Caldwell told councillors on Tuesday night that cycling and pedestrian were desperately needed on Sandy Point Road.
“I see more people walking along Sandy Point Road every day,” she said.
“Many buses travel along the road so its quite congested but there’s no footpath.”
The pathways plan, adopted on Tuesday night, provides a framework for project-specific plans that will contain more detail.
“I think most people would be happy to see money spent on this,” Ms Caldwell said.
“Port Stephens is behind Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in this regard.”
Max Cooper raised issue with a cycle way’s impact on the environment and the expense of such a project.
“As council knows the foreshore is a fragile environment in places which raises legal issues,” he said.
“Painting a green cycle lane on Sandy Point Road would have to be the cheapest and best option.”
The proposed off-road path drew parallels with the Fernleigh Track where there have been collisions between cyclists and pedestrians.
“My wife and I, at 78 and 80, are very much aware of the issues there as cyclists ourselves,” Mr Cooper said.
“We would never use it knowing the consequences of a fall at our age.”
Cr John Nell pointed to difficulties with the necessary permission from Marine Parks to install a footpath on the water’s edge.
“We need to make our roads safer but putting a pathway around the headland is not the answer,” he said.
He also raised the issue of bicycles passing through the Anchorage wharf which prohibits bikes.
“[Council], if you’re serious about this, stop all the work and get the necessary approvals first,” Cr Nell said.
“If you want to make the road safer you really need to educate drivers and cyclists.”
Cr Sally Dover, a supporter of the Corlette pathway, disagreed with Cr Nell.
“Thank you for your opinion Cr Nell,” she said.
“I know there are difficulties ahead but what’s before us is not a development application, it’s a strategic document to show our intent to develop this path.”
She argued the costs wouldn’t be insurmountable.
“We’ve got a community group that’s prepared to build the first section free of cost to council,” Cr Dover said.
“Sure, the second part will require Marine Park approval but this isn’t a development application.”
Cr Peter Kafer said the pathway plan was more than just Corlette.
“If we look at Brandy Hill it’s a huge issue out there,” he said.
Increased truck movements in that area in recent years have prompted louder calls for an off-road pathway.
“To have this plan before us now is big news for them,” Cr Kafer said.
The council carried out consultation over the plan last year and extended the feedback period until April after it received complaints from Corlette and Salamander Bay communities. The council hopes to attract grants from Transport for NSW and gather contributions from developers.