Winney Bay walk must include bridge or Infrastructure NSW will kill project
An Infrastructure NSW director has made it very clear that the Government doesn’t support changes made by council to the original Winney Bay clifftop walk plan — and it could see millions in grant money pulled from the project.
Central Coast
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An August 28 letter from Infrastructure NSW executive director Ross Parker to Central Coast Council’s CEO Gary Murphy spells out in black and white the Winney Bay walk conundrum facing the council.
“INSW considers that the bridge spanning the chasm and the north facing lookout are integral to the project,” it reads.
“The proposed changes to these elements ... would fundamentally change the nature of the project.
“On this basis, INSW does not support them.”
The NSW Government has offered the council $4.615 million to fully fund the Whinny Bay Clifftop Walk project at Copacabana.
But without the bridge, without the lookout and without providing ‘all-ability’ access to this new north-facing lookout, the council has no deal.
These elements formed part of an initial successful grant application made by the council, but councillors have since voted to significantly scale back the project with revised designs.
Infrastructure NSW says that just won’t do.
“If council wishes to continue with the project, noting the requirements to include the bridge spanning the chasm and the north facing lookout, the NSW Government grant under the Regional Growth Environment Tourism Fund is still available.
“If Council no longer wishes to continue with the project, the grant should be relinquished.”
A council staff report will be tabled on Monday night’s meeting recommending the councillors vote to accept Infrastructure NSW’s terms and let the project proceed.
It notes that Infrastructure NSW had compromised on several other conditions and supported the council’s preference to remove market stalls, narrow the footpath from 3m to 2m, and change pathway materials.
It also notes that community consultation had revealed public support for both the bridge and the new lookout.
But many of the councillors remain steadfastly opposed.
Mayor Jane Smith is among those determined to stick with the council’s revised plans.
Last week she said she was confident the project still met funding objectives.
“Council will continue to progress an upgrade to Winney Bay Cliff Top Walk that is more compatible with the local environment and community expectations.”
“I would like to see a result for Winney Bay where the State Government comes on board and works with Council to deliver a great upgrade that we can all be proud of.”
A final decision will be made by Central Coast Council on Monday.
Council has until September 18 to inform Infrastructure NSW of its decision.