Sutherland Shire Environment Centre has been campaigning for a safe, direct off-road bike and walking path along the rail corridor between Sutherland and Cronulla since 2006. An announcement approving the path was made in 2015, but the work to implement the full path was delayed.
In 2021 the NSW government suddenly back-peddled on the planned route for the Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link (SCATL), shortening it to end at Woolooware instead of Cronulla mall and moving it from alongside the rail corridor to busy roads, which would have forced users to cross hundreds of driveways and major intersections. The rationale behind this decision made no sense. It didn’t provide a better or safer route for cyclists and walkers.
A substantial public outcry to these atrocious alterations caused State government to reassess its choice of route. However, they have are ruled out the use of the rail-corridor and the few changes in routing that they have revealed will fail to meet their own safety and design standards and be unable to accommodate a high volume of users.
The new route also involves tree removals which we do not support, including along Denman Avenue. The original route was to have been along the South side of the rail corridor which would have minimised tree removals and provided access to a crossing over Gannon’s road using the recently upgraded bridge.
A mature tree canopy is one of the key recommended features within the cycleway toolbox so it is completely counterintuitive for these beautiful trees to be cut.
This is critical infrastructure which should be built properly so that it can serve the needs of the community.
The population of the Shire is growing and with it, a real need for transport options that don’t add more cars to our already choked roads. We also need trees!!
The Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link is meant to function as the spine of a growing active transport network for the Shire, helping to ease the traffic congestion that is driven by the NSW government’s rampant approval of high-density housing. Call on State government to honor it’s promise and build a high-quality active transport route that will entice people to use it.
Have Your Say
1. Please sign and share this petition asking our politicians to keep their original promise!
2. Contact politicians directly to request that the SCATL route be changed back to what was promised – see contact details and suggested points
Background
We were so pleased in May 2015 when the State Government announced plans to support the project, saying the “Government is committed to the planning and design of this walking and cycling path between Sutherland and Cronulla as part of Sydney’s Cycling Future.”
Bicycles are the ultimate in clean-energy vehicles, with zero emissions and only a small amount of material required for their construction. Climate change and peak oil are two of the biggest issues we face as a civilisation.
Scientists around the world have been ringing alarm bells about these issues for years, and governments are finally starting to take notice. Billions of dollars are being invested in “green cars” and carbon-reduction schemes, yet bicycle promotion and infrastructure remains underfunded in many countries.
For more information please contact the SCATL Convenor c/- office@ssec.org.au
