Kangaroo Valley Pathway progress report
1 Sep 10
1. Donations:
a. Money
i. Community Donations: The Kangaroo Valley Community has donated $25,000 for the Hampden Bridge to Barrengarry Store section and $30,000 from the Community Hall to Nugent's Creek Road section
ii. Shoalhaven City Council: has given $30,000 for the Hampden Bridge to Barrengarry Store section and, to date, $7,000 from the Community Hall to Nugent's Creek Road Section. $3500 for design of culvert bridge
iii Federal Government Stimulus Grant: $30,000 from the Community Hall to Nugent's Creek Road Section
iv. State Government: Through the RTA gave $5,000 for the initial design of the Hampden Bridge to Barrengarry Store section and $10,000, through a "Community Building Partnership Grant", from the Community Hall to Nugent's Creek Road Section
v. Selby Earthmoving: $22,000 (in-kind) by completing all the earthworks completely free of charge, for the Hampden Bridge to Barrengarry Store section.
vi. Total: $162,500
b. Volunteer Hours:
i. Barrengarry Side; 52 volunteers, having a core group of 15, gave 1800 hours
ii. Nugent's Creek Side: 20 volunteers, having a core group of 14 have given 360 hours to date. We are paying for the earthworks and forming up on this section.
iii.Maintenance: Some local residents, at their own initiative, have commenced mowing the Pathway verges on the Barrengarry side, (Approximately 1Km in length) including around the Bike Jumps. During the summer this occurs at least once a fortnight.
2. Usage:
a. Once we had completed the first 50 metres, on the Barrengarry side, people started to use it to extend their walks, bike rides and access to the Jing Jo Restaurant. As we progressed with the construction people walked or cycled to the end of the completed section of the pathway. Similar activity has occurred as we have been constructing the Nugent's Creek stage.
b. Numerous people have told me, and other, how much they appreciate the pathway. I rarely drive down Moss Vale Road without seeing a least one walker, often with a child in a stroller, or cyclist using the pathway
c. During the weekends and holiday periods the Pathway is in continual use by tourists, especially family groups walking and cycling.
d. The above information is anecdotal as there is no way of accurately counting the numbers unless somebody is willing to spend a couple of weeks, at various times, counting the users.
3. Update on Nugent's Creek Section:
a. Background Information;
In April Dave Selby and I met onsite with Gareth Ward and representatives from the RTA and Shoalhaven City Council. I called the meeting in an effort to resolve some concerns the RTA had with the proposed pathway construction at Jarrett's Lane and to obtain approval for a timber bridge designed to cross the culvert in close proximity.
i. The outcome from the meeting was for;
1. Me to seek approval from a suitable Structural engineer. Council agreed to complete the design and submit to RTA for approval.
2. Shoalhaven City Council to draft a pathway design for this location and submit to RTA for their approval.
ii. I was able to engage MacDonald International to prepare a design at a
discounted fee and obtain agreement from SCC to pay the invoice.
b. Where are we four Months on?
i. MacDonald International designed the bridge and after a few amendments they have resubmitted to SCC for their acceptance.
ii. SCC will soon be forwarding the bridge design and a plan of the pathway along the northern side of Moss Vale Road at Jarrett's Lane for RTA approval and a 138 certificate to work in their road reserve.
iii. Based on previous experience it will take at least four weeks to get the approval once it is received by RTA.
iv. Once approval is received we plan to finish construction of the pathway and bridge as soon as possible.
v. I'm anxious to complete this section of the pathway as we have had far more problems and red tape to negotiate than the first stage.
Ron Bower
Chair andProject Manger
Kangaroo Valley Pathways Action Group.