A new hybrid route will form the backbone of the proposed $36.5 million shared path between Alstonville and West Ballina after Ballina Shire Council unanimously endorsed a revised alignment shaped by community feedback.

The decision allows council to begin seeking government grant funding for Stage 1, linking Alstonville with the Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park, while preparing the project for future design and construction if funding is secured.

Community feedback reshaped the route

The revised alignment follows months of community consultation that attracted 61 submissions. While there was broad support for the concept of a shared path and for council to pursue grant funding, many landowners raised objections.

Major concerns were raised about privacy, safety, property impacts, environmental issues and the proposed route passing close to homes.  A joint submission was also lodged by 22 affected landowners.

Rather than selecting either the northern or southern alignment exhibited to the public, council officers recommended a fifth “hybrid” route combining sections of both.

While the new alignment carries the project’s highest estimated cost because of additional boardwalk construction, officers concluded it better balanced community concerns while still delivering a continuous shared path.

Director of Civil Services Troy Anderson said the revised alignment was developed after carefully considering the public feedback.

“It’s a combination of preferred northern route and preferred southern route,” he said.

“We’ve tried to obtain the best of both worlds … and take into consideration the feedback that’s been received and deliver the best outcome for the community.”

The adopted route follows the northern side of the Bruxner Highway from Alstonville to the Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park before crossing to the southern side for the remainder of the journey into West Ballina.

Mr Anderson said Stage 1 had been deliberately chosen because it would provide a destination in its own right rather than ending at an isolated point, while allowing the remainder of the project to be completed over time as funding became available. 

He said affected landowners would continue to be consulted during the detailed design process.

Ratepayers won’t foot the bill

Before the vote, Mayor Sharon Cadwallader sought to reassure residents the project would not be funded from rates, saying council simply could not afford to deliver a project of this scale without government support.

“There’s sometimes a misconception that councils decide what grants are available, or can simply redirect grant funding to whatever project they choose. But that’s not how government grants work,” she said.

Cr Cadwallader said grants are tied to specific projects and cannot simply be redirected to roads, sporting facilities or other priorities.

“I know there was a lot of noise on the socials … that said the money would be better spent somewhere else.

“But what we’re talking about is not an immediate project here. This is about planning for the future.

General Manager Paul Hickey said council would only pursue grant opportunities capable of fully funding projects of this scale.

“We wouldn’t apply for a 50-50 grant because that’s way beyond our financial capacity,” he said, pointing to the Byron Street to Ross Lane shared path as another project delivered through full government funding.

Mr Hickey said previous shared path projects had also been refined after discussions with adjoining landowners, demonstrating council’s willingness to work with affected residents as designs progressed.

Closing the debate, Cr Cadwallader said adopting a preferred route now would ensure the project was ready if suitable funding opportunities emerged in coming years.

She compared it with the West Ballina-Lennox Head coastal shared path, which took more than 20 years to complete in stages.

“Let’s put it on the books. Let’s say if that opportunity arises, well then we’re already there, and we’ve already done some preliminary work.”

The motion, moved by Mayor Cadwallader and seconded by Cr Erin Karsten, was carried unanimously. Cr Simon Chate and Cr Phil Meehan were absent.