February 2020 council meeting: Beach to Beach Pathway progress

At the Wednesday, February 19 council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to take note of the information in the Beach to Beach Progress Update report.

The Beach to Beach Shared Pathway is a community based project that aims to deliver 11km of un-interrupted footpath/cycleway between North Haven Beach and Pilot Beach in Dunbogan.

At the meeting, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Mayor Peta Pinson congratulated council staff and said they've grasped the importance of the project for the community.

She said they've been carrying out great work, despite some challenges the project has presented.

Beach to Beach Shared Pathway committee president Penny Small said she is really pleased to see council has followed up from the October meeting in Laurieton.

At the meeting on October 16, it was resolved for the general manager to report to the February council meeting, on the progress of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Detailed Design of the Beach to Beach project.

A Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the Detailed Design and EIS was requested through local government procurement on January 30. The closing date for the RFQ is February 27.

Mrs Small said the committee is looking forward to the results of this process.

The group will work collaboratively with project manager Sam Mackie from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and the successful contractor, to work through the administrative planning and permission requirements.

Mrs Small said it's crucial for the committee to increase focus on applying for funding, while continuing to raise funds to provide the resources needed for the pathway.

"Key sections of pathway, namely D3 and D5, are ones that are particularly dangerous and need to be created as a matter of urgency.

"The continued support and advocacy of the Camden Haven community is vital and very much appreciated."

The Beach to Beach Pathway committee is hosting a Celebrity Ball fundraiser on March 7.

All money raised from the event will go towards the project.

For more information, visit the Beach to Beach Shared Pathway Facebook page.