Following the recent consultation period, councillors have opted for a different option, other than those put forward so far, for the planned Lake Street Path in Merimbula.
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Three options had been proposed for the pathway to connect Rotary Park to the wharf after community group BOAT (Bureau of Accessible Tourism) received $2m in state funding for the project.
Two of the proposals required Lake Street to become a one-way or part one-way road and there was concern raised by residents about the prospect of limiting the road access.
There were 170 responses to the consultation about the pathway with the majority voting for option B that maintains a two-way road along Lake Street. Of the three options only option A was fully funded but at the council meeting it was decided that an option G be pursued.
Council said the resulting plan would see all roadways in the area unchanged, with the path to run alongside Lake Street and link Rotary Park with Bar Beach in a truncated version of option B as the current funding won’t facilitate an extension through to the wharf.
Before option G can be pursued though any reduction in the scope of works would need to be signed off by the state government.
Mayor Kristy McBain reminded everyone that while it wasn’t a project of this council, the vision was supported.
“We now know the community is not happy with a one-way road. Option G which is partly option B seems to be a good compromise,” Cr Kristy McBain said.
Councillor Jo Dodds asked about ongoing maintenance costs for option G. Director assets and operations Anthony McMahon said that while there were no costs for the cultural assessments at this stage, there might need to be disturbance in “potentially sensitive areas”.
Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick said it wasn’t a council project.
“At this present time there is no cost to council. It’s a project between the state government and BOAT and we have to decide whether to continue to support the delivery or give the money back,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
Council has agreed to seek state government approval for option G with Cr Kristy McBain saying it would deliver “a really beautiful project”.
Cr Kristy McBain said she had walked the track and saw that trees had been deliberately cut down, and a lot of littering had ocurred.
