MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today announced that construction and planning would begin on new bike and walking paths in Moree thanks to $371,098 investment by the NSW Government.
Mr Marshall said the government had allocated $40 million state-wide for more than 380 walking and cycling projects across to better connect communities, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and encourage more people to get active.
“I am very pleased Moree will benefit from this massive funding injection, with five projects earmarked to improve the network of walking and cycling paths through the community,” Mr Marshall said.
“I would like to congratulate Moree Plains Shire Council on being so proactive in addressing gaps in its existing footpath and cycleway networks and valuing the importance of this infrastructure for the health and wellbeing of the community.”
The five projects funded in Moree include:
- The construction of a 2.5m wide and 130m long concrete shared path along Adelaide Street from Edward Street to Chester Street ($19,698);
- The construction of a 2.5m wide 900m long off-road shared concrete path along the Gwydir Highway between Anne Street and Wirrila Street, including a small bridge structure across a flood cause way, to link the Stanley Village Aboriginal Community to the Moree CBD ($315,000);
- The design of a pedestrian refuge and related structures south of the Mehi River Bridge (Frome Street, north side of bridge becomes Balo Street) between Anne Street and Albert Street including the Woolworths driveway crossing ($20,000); and
- The development of a Moree Plains Shire Cycling Guide and a Pedestrian Access Management Plan (PAMP) for the entire Moree local government area ($16,400).
Mr Marshall said with cycling more popular than ever before and walking trips on the rise, it was important the government provided funding assistance to develop the infrastructure needed to support local communities.
“These five projects will provide a huge boost for residents and businesses – completing crucial missing links in the Moree’s walking and cycling network and providing better connections between residential areas and the CBD,” he said.
“If we want to encourage more people to leave the car at home and get active, we need to provide access to safe, convenient and connected waking and cycling networks.
“This investment is about connecting people and places and making a difference to the way residents move around their communities.”