State to provide $2m toward Burns Beack to Mindarie coastal path

THE State Government says it will provide up to $2 million to build a 3km coastal path from Burns Beach to Mindarie by 2019.

Planning Minister Donna Faragher visited Burns Beach today to announce the funding proposal, which is due to be considered by the cities of Wanneroo and Joondalup this month.

Communitynews.com.au understands the path would follow the coastline from Burns Beach, then meander inland through Tamala Park Conservation Reserve to avoid shifting sand dunes.

Once completed, it would mean there was a 45km continuous dual-use path from Jindalee to Fremantle.

Mrs Faragher said the proposed pathway would benefit Mindarie and Burns Beach residents as well as help complete the missing link for bicycle and pedestrian connectivity along Perth’s central and northern coastal strip.

“Our beaches are world famous, and the connection of this path through Tamala conservation park will result in an uninterrupted near-coastal route from Jindalee almost all the way to Fremantle,” she said.

“This initiative provides the opportunity for better access between communities and will provide appropriate, controlled, public access to an area of environmental value.”

The dual-purpose path will stretch 3km from Mindarie to Burns Beach, crossing Wanneroo and Joondalup local government boundaries and construction is subject to contributions from both cities – as well as Burns Beach developer Peet Ltd.

“We are confident our local government partners will work with us to bring this much sought-after community infrastructure to fruition,” Mrs Faragher said.

Ocean Reef MLA Albert Jacob, who is also the Environment Minister, said they expected the path to cost up to $2.9 million in total.

The Wanneroo council will consider a confidential report on the proposal at its October 11 meeting, while the Joondalup council is due to consider it at its October 18 meeting.