The NSW Government is investing $3.3 million in walking and cycling projects in Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo on the New South Wales southcoast.
The investment will see the completion of the Jamberoo Valley Cycleway that stretches seven-kilometres linking Jamberoo with the rest of the Kiama bike network.
The State Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said: “The cycleway won’t just provide locals with alternative transport options, but will also become a tourism drawcard for cyclists and walkers to enjoy the rural landscape of the Jamberoo Valley.
“Our experience during the pandemic is that people have embraced the importance of regular exercise, and the projects being funded will support that demand for paths and routes to cycle, jog and walk.”
The new funding will also cover:
- the extension of the Gerringong pathway between Omega Flat and Fern Street, using an elevated design solution
- opening up bike access in the Kiama town centre
- network connectivity around the Minnamurra Bike Skills Track
- investigating improvements to the road shoulders on the Princes Highway around the Kiama bends.
The exact breakdown of costs for these projects has not yet been released.
Kiama Mayor Mark Honey said: “Increasing options for locals to ditch the car for their bike or walking shoes is an important part of the Kiama Health Plan.
“It will also help our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions as a community, and form part of our forthcoming Community Emissions Reduction Plan.”
The investment falls under the Active Transport Fund, built on the state government’s Future Transport 2056 vision to double the number of commuting walkers and cyclists across the region.
Photo: Kiama Mayor Mark Honey (far right) with other cyclists on the Jamberoo Valley Cycleway, from kiama.nsw.gov.au