Shire of Carnarvon votes to pull out of WA Bicycle Network Coral Bay shared path project following high costs

The Shire of Carnarvon will vote to pull out of a bike path project before construction starts after works were quoted to be more than $700,000 over budget. The design portion of the WA Bicycle Network project was completed in October 2022, consisting of a shared path on Monck Head Drive and Banksia Drive to provide safer accessibility from town to the Coral Bay boat ramp, with the construction portion due to start this year. The design aimed to develop French Street as a shared-use zone incorporating vehicle, cycle, and pedestrian traffic and promote “cycling tourism” in the area. The Department of Transport granted the Shire of Carnarvon $120,000 for the shared path, with the design process costing a total of $26,960. The remaining $106,520 was to be spent on the construction phase, which was quoted to cost more than $900,000 — which the council say is $700,000 over budget. The Shire and department met to discuss the cost of construction on Monday, April 3, when the council reported a DoT representative said DoT was “not supportive of partial completion of the path” as it wouldn’t improve connections. “Therefore, we see limited options to proceed without significant input of funds and an extension of time. As we are nearing the end of the financial year this is unlikely to be supported,” the representative was quoted. Project alternatives, such as changing material types and shortening lengths or widths, were previously raised and were not an option for DoT. The council will vote to end the project on its current status of the completed design portion and withdraw from the construction component at the council meeting on Wednesday. If agreed on, the Shire will need to repay DoT $26,520 upon acquittal of the project.