Shared Coastal Pathway – NW Tasmania Facebook

Featured image: walkers doing their best to navigate the railway track between Somerset and Wynyard.
It is earmarked for the Shared Coastal Pathway. Image courtesy Judy Charles.

With the state government recently announcing funding to complete the Shared Coastal Pathway in the state’s north-west, there have been some calls to ‘slow’ down and consider other options. On the other hand the project has its advocates who say it is needed sooner rather than later. Managers of the Shared Coastal Pathway – NW Tasmania Facebook page Kellie-Ann Smith, Alison Horch & Keith Price explain what their initiative is trying to do and how you can be a part of it.

This about supporting local communities being connected to provide support to local businesses whilst promoting healthy minds and lifestyles.

The sole purpose for starting the Facebook page was to get a perspective of how many north-west coasters were in support of the Coastal Pathway from Wynyard to Latrobe being completed, as well as provide a portal where updates and information on the progress of the Shared Coastal Pathway could be provided.

There have been various stories published regarding the pathway from varying interests including varying levels of government -local, state & federal bodies – cycling groups, railway interests and more, so this was an avenue to show that so many more members of the general public were invested in seeing the completion of this pathway come to fruition.

We wanted to give the general public – the people that want to AND will utilise this pathway – a voice by allowing them a platform to ask questions about the pathway progress and also have an opinion. Not everyone is aware of where they can ask questions and rely solely on what they read in the newspaper or hear from other parties.

This page is for the general public who have a genuine interest in the Shared Coastal Pathway going ahead on the north-west coast, where they can ask questions and get answers. Our page administrators can promise that whatever questions are posed we will endeavour to seek answers from the relevant bodies to ensure all correct information is given.

With the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to 2020, it is more important than ever to have something families can do together that does not cost anything, where they can be together, spending time outdoors learning new things together.

Small businesses are needing our custom more than ever so the quicker we can get this pathway up the better it is for our local small businesses, small towns and general economy. To drive along our roads past the completed sections it is so good to see families and friends out and about, to see bikes and scooters parked outside the cafes while families and friends enjoy a chat and a refresher before heading off again.

The other important thing is with mental health being such a big part of our society, exercise and fresh air is more important than ever.

It is so important to provide, now more than ever, somewhere for people to go, somewhere to lose their thoughts and relax, where better than the coastal pathway?

A lot of people have the view that the coastal pathway is for ‘lycra wearing cyclists’, however this page shows just how many other recreational enthusiasts want and need this. The comments, messages and feedback have been in overwhelming support from all ages and all ranges of users – bike riders young and old, runners and walkers who do not feel safe on the highways where there is no appropriate bike lane. This includes areas like Somerset (especially if you have to go over the bridge) to Wynyard, Wivenhoe to Sulphur Creek and Penguin, Turners Beach to Devonport and Latrobe.

Better infrastructure makes a huge difference.

This is more than a group of people making a noise to get something done, this is about getting people out and about enjoying fresh air and exercise safely and also helping the small businesses along the way. We want people to have an avenue to seek clarification and get up to date information.

This about supporting local communities more, with the shared coastal pathway it will connect local communities, which will bring more people to our local towns, whilst promoting healthy minds and lifestyles – these are the most important aspects of our communities.

Thank you to everyone that has already liked and followed our page, we will try to keep you all updated on the progress of the Coastal Pathway as it moves ahead and hope to continue to see you all out and about enjoying what is already completed.

Please send your questions, post photos and continue to share, like and follow our page.

“Covering approximately 110km, this continuous shared pathway once complete will provide outstanding infrastructure for our region and connect more than 85,000 residents between Wynyard and Latrobe.” – Cradle Coast Authority.