COTTESLOE Council needs more money to rebuild a batch of beach paths.
It is also going back to the public about a popular dog beach route, while starting designs for others, including those used by kitesurfers.
In consultation until March 6 about improving four paths, the council received 26 objections about path N7 – at the dog beach at North Cottesloe
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READ NOWThese mainly requested timber stairs to totally or partially replace the currently degraded log and sand step ladder.
“It is not maintained now, and it will require, at least in the upper section, stairs or a ramp, the path widened, new side rails installed and new log ladders in the lower section,” one of 38 public submissions said about improving path N7.
Other N7 requests included a zebra crossing south of Grant Street on Marine Parade and more beach showers.
Councillors decided to re-advertise the cost of about $50,000 to create steps, two more showers and relocate nearby benches, while council staff also investigate a crossing.
However, 2018-19 budget talks before June will have to agree work on all four paths deserves an at least an additional $210,577, $29,955 extra for consultant’s fees and maybe $50,000 for N7’s steps, on top of the $130,000 allocated for the work in 2017-18.
A report said consultants Ecoscape had estimated the probable cost for N7 was $77,699, nearby N6 was $51,993, while south of Cottesloe Groyne a new S12 path near Deane Street would be $86,763 and upgrading S10 at Salvado Road was thought to be $94,167.
Cr Sally Pyvis said a major consideration in the designs was the protection of remnant dunes, and while log ladders worked if they were maintained they caused erosion at their edges.
It was agreed to use ideas from the community, including low gradients for easier use of each path, to create detailed designs for the potential upgrades of S10, S12 and N6.
At S10, which had 19 comments, it was agreed to have signs and pavement stencils warning the public about kitesurfers crossing to the new path, which will have lower handrails without sharp or protruding parts that could catch kites, no obstacles at the path’s top and bottom, and would stop erosion at its bottom end.
A design will be developed to stop erosion at the bottom of S12, which attracted 17 comments, while the 19 sent about N6 caused councillors to add a rubbish bin and increased drainage along the log ladder.
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