Safety for students

A safe travel option for students to get to school and family bike rides has been officially opened for the Mil Lel community courtesy of a shared bike path along Sherwin Road.

The 770m shared pathway is open for use by local primary school students, their families and wider community extending from Mil Lel Drive to Rexwells Court.

Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston said the installation of the new path would help promote active travel within the district.

“This is another investment aimed to help connect our communities which additionally provides a great recreational activity in a beautiful rural setting. It is also a great achievement on actions within our recently endorsed Inner Townships Master Plan,” Mayor Boston said.

“Council is proud of its public amenities available for locals and visitors and will continue to invest in the vision for shared pathways.”

Council successfully gained $86,715 to complete the project via the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s 2023-2024 State Bicycle Fund which was paired with council’s budgeted commitment of almost $97,000.

District Council of Grant works manager Adrian Schutz said the completed project was the newest addition to the district’s growing shared path network.

“In recent years, we have constructed other shared walking and cycling paths including one from Tollner Road to Cafpirco Road in Compton, and are in the process of preparing another from Carpenter Rocks to Pelican Point,” Mr Schutz said.

“Investing in walking and cycling infrastructure is one way council is creating safer connections for residents accessing community facilities and helping our community stay active.”

The new Mil Lel shared bike path provides a direct link to key local facilities such as the Mil Lel Primary School, Hall, Tennis Club, Showgrounds and Memorial Park.

Mil Lel Primary School teacher, parent and Mil Lel resident Leesa Little said the project provided a convenient and accessible way for locals to get to school and stay active.

“The new shared bike path on Sherwin Road is a wonderful asset for the Mil-Lel community, in particular local school families now having a much safer and accessible way for their children to travel to school in an active and safe way. Mil Lel Primary School community and the wider Mil Lel community are grateful for the efforts by the Grant District Council in making this happen,” Mrs Little said.

“There was a clear need for a shared path with the increase in residential developments in and around the school area. The shared bike path is a great asset that will service the growing needs of not only Mil Lel Primary School children and families, but also the greater Mil Lel community for many years to come.”

The 3m wide path also has pram ramps installed to accommodate community members with prams and increase accessibility for users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking frames.