Works commence on completing Ballina coastal path

Ballina Shire Council has started works to complete the final link of the Coastal Shared Path, from the Skennars Road roundabout to the Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Head.

The completed path will offer a recreational asset for Ballina Shire locals and visitors to walk, run, cycle or skate all the way from West Ballina to Lennox Head village along pristine coastline and riverside.

Funding of $880,000 for this section of the shared path comes from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund and $880,000 from the Federal Government’s Regional Jobs and Investment Package.

Council anticipates the path will be completed by mid-2020 (weather permitting).

Ballina Shire Council Mayor, David Wright advises “this section will be the final link to our shared path and will allow locals and visitors to walk, run or cycle all the way from West Ballina to Lennox Head village along our pristine coastline and riverside. This type of infrastructure is rare and will be a unique recreational asset for our shire.”

Ballina Shire Council’s Visitor Services Team Leader, Alicia Wallace adds “this final link will create a connection for visitors and enable them to further explore our scenic coastline and the experiences offered along the way. We expect to see more visitors out on foot and bicycles exploring further then they previously would have.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the Stronger Country Communities Fund was created to deliver infrastructure that improves the lives of local residents and the Coastal Shared Path project in Ballina Shire is just one of the hundreds of projects being delivered right across regional NSW.

Minister Barilaro noted “the completion of the Coastal Shared Path will be a fantastic asset to attract tourists to admire the natural beauty of this coastline and it will also provide an amazing recreational facility for locals to enjoy.

“I congratulate the Ballina Shire community on winning this funding for the project, which is among more than 1,000 Stronger Country Communities Fund projects in regional NSW, with hundreds now close to completion.”

For more information visit ballina.nsw.gov.au

For further information about the Stronger Country Communities Fund, go to www.nsw.gov.au/SCCF

Image of Pat Morton Lookout courtesy of Discover Ballina