Could the popular Ballina coastal walk and cycleway be expanded to include Byron’s famous coastline?
It’s a question which has local cyclists strapping on their shoes in anticipation.
The proposal, originally put forward by Ballina Council, would see Byron and Ballina councils work together to secure funding for, and ultimately build, the extension of the pathway from Lennox Head to Byron Bay.
‘A similar motion was passed as a Mayoral Minute by Ballina Shire Council in March 2023, and they are seeking a sister motion from us to join forces in attempting to secure funding for this walking/cycling path,’ said Byron Mayor Michael Lyon in a Mayoral Minute, contained within the agenda of this week’s meeting.
However, the project has already hit a potential hurdle, with Byron Council’s Infrastructure Planning Coordinator, James Flockton, noting that ‘the constraints for various route options are complex and require further investigation before a route could be planned and designed.
‘Therefore, a route options assessment would be the preferred first step,’ Mr Flockton said.
A particular challenge is that the Byron leg of the pathway would have to go through or around the Broken Head nature reserve, not an easy task given the size and shape of this area.
Lacks funding: staff
Mr Flockton also said that the proposal was only supported by staff if suitable funding could be found to fund investigations into the plan.
However, Cr Lyon said he believed that, while the specifics of the route had yet to be determined, Council could provide ‘in-principle support for further investigation’.
Back in March, Ballina Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader described the project as ‘a perfect example of where councils can work together to deliver positive outcomes for their communities’.
Cr Cadwallader also noted that ‘the demonstration of support for this project from Ballina and Byron Shire Councils will also assist in securing grant funding, as the state and federal governments regularly prefer to fund projects that have support across multiple councils’.