GRAHAM DAY
You may have seen the Premier’s vision to build a 450km bicycle track from Smithton to Hobart as he gave Burnie funding to help it become a cycle city. A cheaper & more achieveable cycleway could link Burnie & Devonport including Don Heads.
This route should only cost about 15 to 20% of the Hobart west coast route. There is probably a lack of overnight accommodation on the longer route which is not required on the D’port route. This route could be an iconic cycling route of a manageable length close to two or three of the top five largest towns in Tasmania. It would attract a lot more traffic than the long west coast route from local residents for recreation plus tourists. The route could boost traffic on the Spirit ferry service. The cost per km would only be a fraction ( less than 2%?) of that of new road construction. The climatic conditions are more favourable to cycling on this route than the wet west coast & the Tasmanian climate is not too hot for cycling as other parts of Australia may be!
Can readers please consider the health & recreation benefits of this project to local residents, its potential to increase tourism in Tasmania & economic benefits & perhaps discuss it with DCC & other councils, CCA, Minister for Sport & Recreation, Minister for Tourism, the Premier & other relevant bodies. Federal grants or funding sources might be applicable for this project. What an asset & opportunity for Devonport & NW Tasmania to be part on this potentially iconic recreation, lifestyle & tourism project. Remember it is the role of government to provide infrastructure & Spending on cycling ticks all the boxes – climate change, health and wellbeing and tourism.
I look forward to hearing your views on how to progress this project. Do you agree that this cycleway could be a huge asset for the region & would it be best to develop it in stages starting near major towns?
Background, Sunday Tasmanian:
Premier’s cycleway dream
HELEN KEMPTON
June 05, 2009 07:00am
PREMIER David Bartlett peddled a bold vision to build a 450km bicycle track from Smithton to Hobart yesterday as he gave Burnie funding to help it become a cycle city.
“I have a bike rack on the back of the limo and look forward to the day when people will be able to ride from Smithton to Hobart on a dedicated cycleway,” Mr Bartlett said in Burnie.
“I genuinely believe Tasmania can be an icon destination for cyclists.”
Mr Bartlett said he had cycled on five continents and still regarded Tasmania as one of the best places to cycle in the world.
The Government has earmarked $4 million to match local government spending on cycling infrastructure around Tasmania.
But the Premier has a trans-Tasmania bicycle vision.
“I want to invest more. Every dollar invested in cycleways takes more cars off the road. Spending on cycling ticks all the boxes – climate change, health and wellbeing and tourism,” he said.
The State Government will match the Burnie City Council’s $375,000 funding commitment to building a $1.5 million dedicated off-highway cycleway from Cooee into the central business district.
The council needs another $750,000 from the Federal Government to seal its 5km Coastal Pathway project deal.
Mayor Alvwyn Boyd said the council should learn by the end of June if its federal funding application was successful.
Ald Boyd said the cycleway was one more step in the council’s vision to make Burnie a more liveable city.
The Federal Government has set aside $40 million for cycling projects in priority areas including the North-West.
“Making it easier and safe for Tasmanians to cycle in urban areas will increase the attraction of cycling and give thousands of people better opportunities to include cycling in their daily routines,” Mr Bartlett said.
