Coast path supported

Earlier this month, the Times reported the Department of Planning had said the dual use path should not go through the Tamala Park Conservation Reserve for environmental reasons.

However, Mr Jacob, who is also the Ocean Reef MLA, said the Tamala Conservation Park community advisory committee, which he chaired, had supported a coastal path in its 2012 report.

"The committee recommendation is that the path be as close to the foreshore as possible," he said.

Mr Jacob said the State Government had contributed to a $150,000 feasibility study with the cities of Wanneroo and Joondalup and he still believed the path should follow the coast.

"Most of the coastal path through my electorate goes through sensitive coastal environment," he said.

�It's a footpath, not a freeway. We build footpaths through national parks all through the state.

"It gives people an appreciation for our natural environment."

Mr Jacob said the Department of Parks and Wildlife generally put money into creating paths in national parks and conservations areas, such as the one built in Yellagonga Regional Park.

He said the committee had since wound up, but he had approached Planning Minister John Day to review the planning department's decision.

According to the 2012 Tamala Conservation Park Establishment Plan, the committee had said the preferred route "should be as close to the coast as possible".

It said a technical advisory group then provided specialist advice, which considered the environmental value of the dunes, dynamic nature of the coastline and undulating topography.

"The technical advisory group considered that the construction of a path through the near coastal area could be prohibitively expensive and have adverse environmental impacts," it said.

The plan went on to say the committee called for the feasibility study to consider two options " as close to the coast as possible or a cheaper option that was �still close to the foreshore reserve".

Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts said the committee had clearly said the path should follow the coastline and the joint study found it would be $1 million cheaper than a route along Marmion Avenue.