The newest 13.2km section of the North West Coastal Pathway between Wynyard and Cooee is ready to ride following an official opening on 24 October.
Our north west riders organised a social ride for around 60 people from the West Point university campus to the opening, which was also attended by state and federal politicians and the Burnie and Waratah-Wynyard mayors.
The social ride was led by Bicycle Network volunteer Keith Price, who has been a driving (or riding) force behind the proposal since it was first floated a couple of decades ago.
Burnie Mayor Teeny Brumby paid tribute to Keith’s efforts in her speech and Keith used the opportunity to urge the politicians present to get on with the job of funding the outstanding sections of pathway.
The Coastal Pathway now runs from Wynyard to Latrobe but there are gaps between Wivenhoe and Heybridge to the east of Burnie, between West Ulverstone and Penguin, and through Turners Beach.
Central Coast Council has designed the section through Turners Beach, which will be the next section to be constructed, and it recently received a grant to design options for the Penguin section.
Burnie City Council’s section remains the missing link. Disappointingly, the council has indicated it has no plans to apply for funding for design options or construction.
While being a useful connection for locals to ride between towns and use for recreation, the path was also intended to be a tourism attractor.
That tourism potential is diminished if there is a gaping hole in the route as it ruins the concept of a non-stop multi-day ride.
Waratah-Wynyard recently received a state government grant to investigate the feasibility of extending the pathway west towards Stanley and Smithton.
Images: Roger Nichols and Roger Jaensch’s office.
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