Ballina council seeks feedback on $35m Alstonville to Ballina shared path

COMMUNITY feedback is being sought on proposed routes for a shared path linking Alstonville and Ballina, with the project expected to cost up to $35 million.

Concept designs and high-level cost estimates have been prepared, with projected costs ranging from $27.3 million to $34.8 million depending on the chosen route.

The investigation considered environmental, engineering, cost and heritage constraints to ensure the path is practical and sustainable.

The project is part of the Ballina Shire Bike Plan, which aims to make the region more bicycle friendly and better integrate cycling into the local transport network.

While staged funding and construction have extended the coastal shared pathway between Ballina and Lennox Head, a route connecting Alstonville has not yet been established.

With support from the state government’s Get NSW Active program, the council has identified four potential route options.

The preferred southern route, including a connection to Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park, is estimated to cost $27.3 million.

The preferred northern route is estimated at $34.1 million.

Ballina Shire Council development and traffic engineer Patrick Knight said the routes had been developed following detailed investigations.

“Council has undertaken detailed investigations to identify feasible route options, carefully considering environmental, engineering and cost constraints,” he said.

“We’re now inviting the community to review the concept designs and tell us what’s important to them, to help inform the selection of a preferred route.”

The southern route follows Wardell Road before running south of the Bruxner Highway, partly along an old highway formation.

It includes a connection to Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park and crosses Emigrant Creek via a proposed new footbridge before joining Smith Drive.

The northern route follows Ballina Road in Alstonville before continuing along the north side of the Bruxner Highway.

It offers a direct route but requires elevated boardwalk sections through the Ballina Cutting, making it more complex and costly to build and maintain.

Two other route options are also under consideration, with community feedback to guide the final selection and future planning.

The proposal is on public exhibition until April 28.