Cooee to Wynyard Coastal Pathway kicks off
Published on 05 October 2023
Burnie City Council (BCC) and Waratah-Wynyard Council (WWC) welcomed Deputy Premier, Michael Ferguson, to discuss the progress of Coastal Pathway Project.
The continuation of the significant infrastructure project will see the development of 13.2km pathway from Red Rocks Cooee to Port Creek Wynyard, as well as integrating 1km of existing pathway near Somerset Esplanade.
Funding of $13.86M has been allocated to the project by the Tasmanian State Government, with WWC and BCC contributing $1.86 M collectively.
The Deputy Premier stood alongside Watatah-Wynyard Deputy Mayor Celisa Edwards, Montgomery MLC Leoni Hiscutt, Shaw Senior Project Manager Mike Luttrell and Burnie City Councillor David Pease.
Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson said,
“In reality it is more than a pathway, it will connect people across five municipal areas, providing opportunities for physical activity and social interaction”.
Burnie City Mayor Teeny Brumby contributed, “This is such an important project for our city and for our wider region – I am so thankful that after so many years we are now moving forward with great pace.
In doing so I must acknowledge the vision of our previous Councils who saw that benefit that this project would bring, and stood strong in their resolve to achieve it. In particular I commend Councillor Kons for his strong advocacy when Mayor of the city, which enabled significant additional funding to be provided by the state government for the remediation works required as a result of the coastal erosion along the proposed track. Additionally he ensured the government did not pass ownership of these revetment works to the Council as this would have made the project unsustainable for the Council. Without this advocacy, the project may not have been able to proceed to fruition.”
This project, managed by Shaw Contracting, is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to improve local infrastructure and preserve wildlife. The project involves the removal of old rail infrastructure to make way for a 2.6m wide shared pedestrian/bicycle asphalt pathway to enhance connectivity in the region. It also includes the installation of safety fences on three bridges and seven revetment structures to address beach erosion concerns near the pathway.
A critical feature of this project is the 9.1km of 1.2m high penguin fences, demonstrating the commitment to protecting local fauna. Comprehensive penguin management procedures are in place, with Shaw Contracting and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) working together. A local penguin biologist (specialising in little penguins’ species) has been engaged to provide expert advice and assistance.
Since construction commenced on 4 September 2023, several tasks have been completed, including vegetation clearing, rail and sleeper removal, ballast spreading, and pavement material spreading. Sub-contracts for material supply have been issued to local quarries.
Currently, Shaw Contracting has possession of the Burnie City Council section from Red Rocks Cooee to Cam River. Waratah-Wynyard Council are currently finalising approvals from Parks and Wildlife for crown land, then must obtain development approval and ministerial approval to remove the rail infrastructure. Once this has been achieved, works can commence on the Wynyard end.
Penguin fence installation will begin after the pavement has been placed, and the project is scheduled for completion in September 2024.
“Shaw Contracting are very excited about this project and the impact it will have on improving the amenity for the local community.” – Michael Luttrell, Shaw Contracting Senior Project Manager
Above: Waratah-Wynyard Council Manager Engineering Services Corey Gould, Shaw Contracting Senior Project Manager Michael Luttrell, Burnie City Council Cr David Pease, Burnie City Council Director of Operations Damien Adherne, Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson, Waratah-Wynyard Council Deputy Mayor Celisa Edwards, Montgomery MLC Leoni Hiscutt
Cover image: Advocate Newspaper