TENDERS for the design of a shared cycle-walk link between Sutherland and Cronulla have been called by the state government.
The move is a big step forward for the proposed project, which would shadow the rail line but was rejected by the Labor government in 2009 as too expensive.
Sections of the route would be within the rail corridor while other parts would detour through nearby streets.
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre, which led the campaign for the link for more than a decade, applauded the announcement.
"This is the type of infrastructure that makes cities into neighbourhoods and villages into communities," secretary Tassia Kolesnikow said.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance said tenders were open for specialist engineering and urban design services "to develop this new active transport link".
Mr Constance said the government was committed to providing infrastructure that allowed residents to walk and cycle between public transport and community facilities.
"This work will ensure the design of the proposed route integrates with the surrounding environment and provides the community with easy access between public transport, schools and local facilities," he said.
"Transport for NSW will continue to work closely with Sutherland Shire Council in this next phase of planning for the project and will consult with other stakeholders, the community and walking and cycling groups about the potential route.
“The people of Sutherland Shire love to get outdoors and enjoy what their area has to offer and this new facility will make that even easier, safer and more convenient.’’
Mr Constance said tenders would close June 9 and the final design would be developed after community consultation and feedback.
Ms Kolesnikow said it was ‘‘a positive project in so many ways’’.
‘‘It will offer real solutions to traffic congestion, rising rates of obesity, air pollution and the need to curb emissions,’’ she said.
Ms Kolesnikow said the link would provide a much-needed mode of transport to the highest density areas of the shire, allowing people to safely travel to work, school, shops and sporting fields without using their cars, and would ‘‘decrease the need for parents to drive their children everywhere and provide more freedom to people using motorised scooters’’.
CONCEPT DRAWING EXCITES
Chair of Sutherland Shire Environment Centre, Jenni Gormley, said she understand, wherever possible, the path would be within the rail corridor.
However, in many places it would need to be along nearby streets that carried low volumes of traffic numbers, and that would require clear designation.
Ms Gormley said conception drawings, released with the announcement, were ‘‘exciting’’.
‘‘If the final outcome is of that standard than residents of Sutherland Shire will indeed be well-served,’’ she said.
The calling of design tenders follows completion of a study, announced in 2013 by former transport minister Gladys Berejiklian.
A spokesman for Mr Constance said the report was being used to guide feasibility work by Transport for NSW and, ‘‘as the project is in early stages, the study will not be released at this point in time.’’
A 2009 study found identified only two sections, totalling 1.24km, as being feasible for a cycleway, and they would cost $7.2 million.
If they build it, will you come?
