Cycleway a step closer
Company chosen for project
Plans to build a $2.5m cycleway between Mossman and Mossman Gorge have stepped up a gear with the Douglas Shire Council outsourcing the project to a Far North Queensland company.
King Concreting, based in Edmonton, was selected through a tender process with the decision approved in a Douglas Shire Council meeting on Wednesday.
Construction – which will consist of about 2lm of concrete pathway and bridge at Marr’s Creek – is due to begin in the coming months.
Council expect the cycleway to be completed by the end of the year.
The bulk of the project ($2.25m) will be funded through the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said shared pathways were fantastic grassroots projects which enhance “the
liveability of our beautiful shire and provide visitors with another way to get around”.
“It will also provide a safer pedestrian and cyclist link for the Mossman Gorge community with the Mossman township,” Mr Kerr said.
“Mossman CBD to Mossman Gorge Cycleway is another step in completing
council’s cycle network strategy.
“Once finished locals and tourists will be able to ride their bikes safely on a separate pathway away from vehicles between Port Douglas, Cooya Beach, Newell Beach and the Gorge.”
Rainforest and Reef Cycling Club president Rodney Johnson
said it was a welcomed pathway even though the club’s members were unlikely to use it.
“The reason being that we’re doing 30 to 40km an hour and of course if you’ve got kids and families on small bikes, and they’re on those paths, it creates a conflict.
“But if we can encourage
youngsters to ride from home to school or, or home to their friends and having the safety to do it on a bypass that’s off the road that’s a massive plus.
“So we would definitely be encouraging families and kids to be using that and I think it’s a great initiative to have the cycleway there for that reason.”