Fears that a new bike path from Mooloolaba to Maroochydore has come to a griding halt have been allayed by the State Government.
The M2M cycleway is a 6km bike path linking the beach suburbs to be delivered in seven stages by Sunshine Coast Council and the State Government.
However Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson has accused the State Government of withdrawing funds for Stage 6 — a 1.2km section from Alexandra Headland to Maroochydore.
It comes after Stage 6 underwent a redesign when the original plan was rejected by the community, with protestors and a petition calling for significant changes.
The State Government revised the plan in 2020 with the community’s input and gave a $1.5million commitment for the detailed design phase.
But Ms Simpson accused the State Government of withdrawing more than $5 million for construction from official government documents.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) website also states ‘Construction of Stage 6 is subject to funding availability’.
“This is a broken promise,” Ms Simpson said.
“The community were told that funds to construct the cycleway were safe.
“The funds were there for the M2M cycleway and now they’re not.”
Minister Bailey told Sunshine Coast News he was determined to see the cycleway through.
It’s understood the State Government will make a funding decision on the construction of Stage 6 once the detailed design phase is completed.
“I am absolutely committed to delivering the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore Cycleway in full, in partnership with Mayor Jamieson and the Sunshine Coast Council,” he said.
“Just over a week ago we released plans for a completely redesigned Stage 6, following extensive consultation with community advocates and cycle groups,” Minister Bailey said.
“When this project went back to the drawing board, future funding for the project was reallocated to the Active Transport program to invest in other important projects and support good jobs.
“Now that the design has been finalised in line with community expectations, we will progress the new-look project for a future funding decision.
“In the meantime, we’re getting on with delivering yet another record road and transport budget, investing over $3 billion in the region while supporting 2700 jobs.”
Councillor Joe Natoli said he was grateful that the Minister and State Government listened to the concerns of the community and that they revised the design.
“The community and myself were not prepared to accept the original proposal,” he said.
“This is an important component of the cycleway network, of which the State Government has the responsibility of delivering and I am now seeking a commitment from the State Government that they will fund this section of the cycleway”.
For more information on Stage 6, see Mooloolaba to Maroochydore Cycleway Stages.
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