Lennox Head to Byron Bay coastal path revitalised as councils look to join forces for funding
A much-anticipated path linking two North Coast tourism hubs is back on the agenda. Here’s the latest on the project.
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A much-anticipated path linking Lennox Head to Byron Bay is back on the agenda.
The path has been in the works for almost a decade and its first 100-page proposal was first shown to communities back in 2014.
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has backed Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon in pushing the project back into the limelight at recent council meetings.
In February, Cr Cadwallader put forward a motion for funding and for the councils to work in unison towards the extension of the existing Coastal Recreational Path, which was unanimously supported.
Byron is about 20km north of Lennox. It’s thought the path connecting the two coastal shires would be popular among both tourists and residents.
The Coastal Recreational Path already runs along Ballina Shire’s coastline, from Lighthouse Beach to Sharpes Beach
Ballina visitor Linda Fletcher, 63, said the proposed new path, boasting amazing views, would be a boon for tourism in the area.
“The path is the sort of thing where, if you want tourism in your coastal towns. It’s got to have to have things that make people want to come and visit,” she said.
Ms Fletcher said more paths helped people like her who travel in motorhomes as tourists to manoeuvre through towns with a pushbike rather than towing their cars.
“For those that have motorhomes, it costs money for them to pack up everything just to go to the shops and buy milk, bread, whatever. And then they have to come back and set up again.
“So, they have pushbikes on the back.
“The more you’ve got to bring people into the community, the more money they’re going to spend there.
“Even if its only buying coffee, sandwiches or lunch or some sort of memorabilia that they’ve been there, it just builds.
“So to me the path is a great idea.”
The Ballina council expects the path would boost tourism, encourage exercise, increase accessibility for cyclists and reduce traffic congestion.
The path would not only “deliver positive outcomes for their (Ballina and Byron shires) communities” but win over state and federal Governments, which “prefer to fund projects that have support across multiple councils,” according to the proposal.
Footpaths have not yet been considered in the development of the plan yet.
The council meeting revealed previous plans to build the path years ago were abandoned due to quarrels over the optimal route.
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