Council to proceed with South Coogee to Kingsford cycleway plan

A 1.9km cycleway connecting South Coogee with Kingsford will proceed, after Randwick Councillors endorsed a revised concept plan at the Council meeting on 25 June 2019.

Council will now seek funding from the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to construct the cycleway.

The project is part of Randwick Council’s bicycle strategy to improve walking and cycling options along Bundock St, Avoca St and Sturt St and to connect with the new light rail terminus and other bike paths to the UNSW, Centennial Park and the City CBD.

The draft concept plan was consulted with the community in late 2018 and changes were made and detailed in a revised concept plan which will save 27 significant trees, include areas of shared path and improve safety for cyclists along Bundock Street.

Randwick Mayor Kathy Neilson said Council has achieved a good outcome in preserving the area’s tree canopy and progressing alternative transport options for the community.

“We’ve listened to the community and made changes. I’m really pleased staff have been able to amend the design in consultation with RMS to respond to the community feedback and save 27 mature trees previously proposed for removal,” Mayor Neilson said.

“To be expanding our tree canopy with 60 new trees is a great step forward. We can provide safer transport options for people riding bikes and preserve and enhance our urban tree canopy at the same time – the two are not irreconcilable outcomes,” Mayor Neilson said.

“Many cities in Australia and around the world are building cycleways as a safe, practical and convenient alternative to car use,” Mayor Neilson said.

“The evidence shows that if you separate people riding bikes from moving traffic more people will choose to ride for short trips. This is good for everybody and helps reduce congestion on the road network,” Mayor Neilson said.

The project provides a key east-west connection with light rail as well as linking to local primary and high schools and other cycleways linking to the Sydney CBD.

Work will include installing:

· new pathways and pedestrian crossings;

· new separated cycleway;

· traffic lights at the Bundock/Avoca/Sturt intersections

· streetscape enhancements and upgrades, including new tree planting, improved street and pedestrian lighting and traffic safety measures; and

· safer intersections and calmer traffic through implementation of clear markings and separation.

The South Coogee to Kingsford streetscape improvement project is a joint project with the Roads and Maritime Services. Subject to endorsement by Council, additional funding would need to be applied for and received from the RMS for the project to proceed to construction.