Delays leave coastal path inaccessible

IT took 11 years for construction to start on the coastal path between Burns Beach and Mindarie and despite being completed for almost three months, it is still not accessible.

Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob confirmed the main section of the path, which was a joint project between the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo and the WA Planning Commission, was completed in December.

However, Peet and Tamala Park Regional Council, who are responsible for the southern and northern links to the path, have not completed their sections.

Mr Jacob said the two cities were currently negotiating an agreement with Tamala Park Regional Council for its northern section at Catalina estate “in the coming months”, but had continued to liaise with Burns Beach estate developer Peet “for a number of years” and they had “been unable to provide a timeframe on delivery of the southern section of the path”.

“It is disappointing that despite this extensive engagement, the final small northern and southern sections have not yet commenced construction,” Mr Jacob said.

“All stakeholders have been involved in discussions around their respective responsibility for delivering this project for the past several years and all stakeholders will benefit from its completion.”

Catalina Estate project director Carl Buckley confirmed Tamala Park Regional Council had committed up to $730,000 to the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo to construct the northern section of the path.

However, he said the cities were responsible for “managing all aspects of the dual-use path construction process, including obtaining and complying with all necessary approvals, procuring contractors, supervision of works, contract administration and post-development maintenance”.

“Therefore, any specific questions relating to when this section of the dual-use path is to commence and ultimately be completed is best answered by the cities,” he said.

Peet managing director and chief executive Brendan Gore said they were currently working with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage on the sub division approval required to develop the southern portion of the path that runs through Burns Beach Estate.

“Peet lodged this application with the department in late 2018 to help ensure construction of the southern section of the path was delivered on time, however, at this stage, the application is still awaiting approval,” he said.

“Once this approval is received, Peet will look to commence works as soon as possible.

“We will also be working closely with other relevant authorities, including the City of Joondalup, to secure their necessary approvals.”

Mr Gore said Peet remained “entirely committed to the development of the path” and they would be sharing regular updates with the community “as they become available”.

“We appreciate and understand the community’s disappointment that the current sub-division approvals have created and look forward to getting development underway as soon as these are in place,” he said.

The completed section of the path was funded with $2 million from the State Government and the balance split between the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo.

Once completed it will create a 58km coastal route from Quinns Rocks to Fremantle.

More news:

Construction starts on northern suburbs coastal path

Construction tender approved for coastal path from Burns Beach to Mindarie

State Govt allocates $2m to build dual use path from Burns Beach to Mindarie