Kiama Council has been successful in its application to have unspent money from the Minnamurra Boardwalk project redirected to other cycling-related projects.

$3.3 million is to be redirected by the State Government's Active Transport Fund, out of the $3.8 million remaining from the Boardwalk grant of $4.5 million. The Minnamurra Boardwalk project is in mothballs, after its estimated cost blew out to $15.5 million when the design was complete.

“This investment will see the completion of the seven-kilometre Jamberoo Valley Cycleway, linking Jamberoo with the rest of the Kiama cycleway network," said the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, when announcing the grant.

“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 between the two townships 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.”

Laying earlier sections of the cycleway

The cycleway currently ends at Browns Lane and, in applying for the money to be redirected, Council estimated completing the project would cost $2.4 million.

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.

Mayor Mark Honey has thanked the NSW Government for supporting the projects, which also help progress a number of wider community goals.

“Increasing options for locals to ditch the car for their bike or walking shoes is an important part of the Kiama Health Plan,” Cr Honey said.

“It will also help our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions as a community, and form part of our forthcoming Community Emissions Reduction Plan.”