In July this year MidCoast Council sought feedback to help shape its Open Spaces and Recreation Strategy, to guide the development of the LGA’s walking and cycling networks for the next ten years.

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Previous consultation undertaken in 2022 revealed that 83 percent of participants said they walk in outdoor spaces, while 21 percent said they cycle on roads and bike paths.

Council is currently reviewing feedback from the recent consultation, and it remains unclear what action will be taken once results have been examined.

Local cyclist and Mountain Man Tri Challenge race director Sam de Witte suggests Council undertake a feasibility study for a “long talked about cycleway” from Gloucester to Barrington.

“The Council already knows that there is much interest in Gloucester in such a cycleway,” said Mr de Witte.

For several years several cycling enthusiasts, including Mr de Witte, have been lobbying Council for the establishment of a cycle track between Gloucester and Barrington adjacent to Thunderbolts Way – so far with no success.

At present cyclists can avoid Thunderbolts Way only as far as Dangar Road, and any cyclist wanting to ride further towards Barrington must take their chances on a busy 100kph road carrying heavy traffic, including many large trucks.

Understandably, few take the risk.

Mr de Witte met with MidCoast Mayor Claire Pontin last year to discuss the concept.

“Unfortunately, I was told that there was no money to do anything, even a feasibility study,” Mr de Witte said.

Council later applied for grant funding for such a study, but was unsuccessful.

“So, it seems that nothing is happening, which is unfortunate because a cycleway would benefit local tourism enormously,” Mr de Witte said.

“It might have to be up to the Gloucester community to try and find the funds for a study.”

A spokesperson for MidCoast Council told NOTA, “A report on the consultation and community input, and next steps, is due to go to the November meeting of Council.

“The track is very problematic, there isn’t a lot of road verge in sections, there are steep gullies and it will be quite costly to construct a track in the area.

“It will take grant funding for this part of the track to be realised and the funding would need to cover both design and construction of the remainder of the track.

“That said Council is supportive of the track for the benefits it would provide the community.”

Mr de Witte however questions “how Council can talk about problems and costs without full local consultation and without a feasibility study”.

By John WATTS