At Council's meeting on 28 April 2022 Woolgoolga projects were again put under the spotlight as considerable efforts by both Councillors and the community were made to plot ways forward on the Whale Trail and Trial Bike Lane projects.
In regard to the Woolgoolga Whale Trail four alternate options for pathway width and alignment around the corner of Pollack Esplanade and Carrington Street were considered and Council resolved to proceed with Option C – construction of a 2.5m wide elevated path that follows the road alignment around the reconstructed road corner.
Progressing to environmental approvals will be the next step as the potential removal of 9 trees is involved in this Option.
Appropriate mechanisms will be put in place to ensure pedestrian safety in areas near road traffic.
Coffs Harbour City Council Mayor Councillor Paul Amos said there has been a long history of conversations on this project but is glad to see that broad agreement has been reached to proceed with Option C.
"Council must now seek the necessary environmental approvals as a matter of priority and urgency as grant monies need to be expended in certain timeframes."
In terms of the Trial Bike Lane the Mayor said to optimise the safety of cyclists and avoid impacts to Clarence Street, Council resolved to create an appropriate transition from the existing footway in Clarence Street to the on-road cycleway in Beach Street.
The on-road protected cycleway will run along Beach Street from River Street to Boundary Street where it will ramp onto the roadside verge and continue as a new, 3.0m wide shared path to Wharf Street. The new shared path avoids changes to the angle parking between Boundary Street and Wharf Street while providing a comfortable and safe route for both pedestrians and cyclists.
"Again we need to be full steam ahead here as time is running out to make use of this grant money.
"What hasn't been understood by many is that the on-road bike lane trial is essentially community consultation in action, you try before you buy.
"The intent of this grant program is to push the community to engage with streets as shared spaces. Sure it won't be everyone's cup of tea but we need to see what's possible and this trial will allow that to happen.
"On both these projects I'd like to thank Councillors and the community for their detailed interest and efforts."
