Junction bike paths hit a road block

By CHRISTOPHER HARRIS
Waverley Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak has warned the security of funding for separated bike paths in Bondi Junction is under threat.

Clr Wy Kanak told City Hub that Liberal councillors were stalling plans through excessive consultation measures.

Safety assessments have delayed construction, and Clr Wy Kanak said he was concerned state government funding could be withdrawn.

Just under $3 million had been allocated for the bike paths from NSW Roads and Maritime Service and Waverley Council allocated $2 million from the council’s infrastructure fund.

Clr Wy Kanak put forward an motion at a council meeting on August 18 to ensure RMS rolls over the funding for the bike paths into the financial year.

He said he thought Liberal councillors had stalled on the issue through community consultation that was unending.

“If the libs aren’t strong and definite about a separated cycleway on Spring Street in Bondi Junction they will by default lose that money,” Clr Wy Kanak said.

“The Liberal councillors weren’t clear if they were going to fight hard for our $3 million for making the separated bike paths.”

Speaking to City Hub, Mayor Sally Betts refuted this.

She said the council was in continuous consultation with stakeholders and the state government.

“Considering that Dominic Wy Kanak voted against the bike path two months ago, and I had to work pretty hard to get them to support my rescission motion, it is disingenuous of him to try and say he is saving the funding allocated for it,” she said.

But Labor Councillor John Wakefield disagreed with Clr Betts’ comments.

“What councillor Wy Kanak and myself did was to ask for a review of the treatment of the bike lane outside the bus depot,” he told City Hub.

Clr Wy Kanak said he voted against the proposed bike path plan because it was “obviously” unsafe.

“We requested that it be deferred, so we could get it redesigned, the buses trying to get in and out. Bus users have to walk across the bike lane, to get into the bus. It was not a good situation.”