10:36a.m. 18th January 2008

| By Suzanne Keen

Leigh Warneminde (Coast Care) , Vivien Griffin, Harry Clark and Edwin Hammet (Coast Care volunteer) inspect the proposed Yaroomba coastal cycle route.

The planned route for the Yaroomba coastal bike path is deeply flawed from both cycling safety and environmental perspectives, says super-council candidate Vivien Griffin.

Ms Griffin, who instigated and chaired the Noosa Bicycle Advisory Group for many years, has joined residents and environmentalists in attacking Maroochy Council’s decision to approve construction of the 3km bicycle pathway at the Yaroomba beachfront.

"This is yet one more example of non-consultation with the community by this council," said Coolum and hinterland Division 9 candidate for the new regional council.

"I have personally inspected the proposed route, and it is wrong from both cycling safety and environmental perspectives.

"I can only assume it has been designed by someone with little practical experience of recreational cycling."

Ms Griffin said the steep slopes of the proposed route were a clear cycling hazard, with a build-up of moss from leaf litter making the path very slippery.

“I am aware of a section of the Noosa coastal bike path done many years ago which has to be re-routed because of this very problem,” she said.

“On top of this, the need for clearing for fire management is being considered only now … apparently this was not required on Lend Lease land as a condition of approval.

“The worst of all possible worlds would be two separate swathes of clearing, all on our precious community asset of coastal dunes."

The Coolum District Coast Care group expressed its concern about the pathway as early as May last year.

"Our concern is heightened by the fact that this track will cross the parabolic dune, an act which we regrettably must regard as one which can only be described as council-endorsed vandalism," it said in a letter to Maroochy Mayor Joe Natoli.

The group has since been trying to muster support to have the approval of the pathway overturned.

However, Ms Griffin said these views appeared to have received scant consideration.

"A coastal pathway is a great project, and there will be a good solution available with the combined goodwill and intellects of the local community, Lend Lease and Maroochy Council.

“Recently, Coast Care representatives were invited to walk the proposed route and provide comment, but that is simply being asked to choose the least worst of a bad option. I am confident with goodwill we can do much much better."

Ms Griffin said that if elected to the new regional council, she would push for a re-think of the current proposal.

"However, I call on Mayor Natoli and Cr Bruce Dunne right now to get all parties around the table. Until that is done, Mayor Natoli must place a moratorium on any further action on the current proposal."

Related stories:

Cycle path threat to beach dunes

Maroochy says no to bikeway millions