FAQs

The path is proposed to start in the centre of Alstonville, where it can connect to the existing shared path network. This network already extends to Wollongbar and through residential areas in Alstonville.

The path would connect into the existing shared path in West Ballina near the caravan park. This path continues east through West Ballina and links to the wider Ballina pathway network.

The project is costly because the route travels from the low-lying coastal area up to the higher Alstonville Plateau, which involves steep and challenging terrain. There are also strict design and safety requirements when building pathways close to the Bruxner Highway and Pacific Motorway.

A major cost is a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge needed to cross Emigrant Creek, which is estimated at about $6 million. The southern routes would also require additional works to provide access to the Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park on the other side of the Bruxner Highway, estimated to cost $3.8 million.

When the Pacific Motorway (M1) south of Ballina was built, a shared path was not included and no pathway was attached to the Emigrant Creek bridge. For structural integrity reasons, it is not possible to add a path to the existing bridge, so a new separate bridge is required.

In some locations the path would also need elevated bridge crossings over the Bruxner Highway, as crossing the highway at road level would not meet safety standards. In other areas where space is limited or the ground is steep, sections of the path would need to be built as elevated or suspended structures, which also adds to the overall cost.

‘Preferred’ routes are the options that best meet the project criteria, such as safety, cost, constructability and user experience, and are considered the most suitable to progress.

‘Alternative’ routes are still feasible options, but they may have some trade-offs, such as higher costs, more complex construction or lower user amenity. These are included so the community can compare options and provide feedback before a final route is selected.

Both northern and southern route options have been developed because the corridor between Alstonville and Ballina has a range of constraints, including terrain, waterways, environmental areas and existing infrastructure. Looking at both options helps Council understand the benefits and challenges of each approach and choose the best overall route.

No. Parts of the path in West Ballina would experience similar flooding to nearby roads. A short section of the preferred southern route, where the path passes under the Pacific Highway bridges at Duck Creek, would also go under water during smaller flood events.

Further west, past Uralba Road, the land is higher and not affected by river flooding. However, a completely flood-free route is not possible at the Ballina end because parts of the town itself are flood-prone.

Rest areas with seating and shelter will be provided along the path route. These locations are shown on the exhibited plans.

Yes, the Gap Road was investigated as a potential route. However, several sections are too steep to meet safety and universal design standards for shared paths. The surrounding terrain is also narrow and constrained, meaning construction would be difficult and would likely require significant clearing of native vegetation.

The preferred southern route follows parts of the old Bruxner Highway, which was used before the Ballina Cutting deviation was built in the early 1990s. Sections of this old road still exist today, including parts of Duck Creek Mountain Road and an unused public road reserve near Uralba Cutting Road.

While this route is more winding and slightly longer, it is not as steep as the current highway. The gentler slope makes it safer and more comfortable for people walking and riding bikes.

The Wardell Road route uses the existing bridge and shared path over the Bruxner Highway near Alstonville. This allows the pathway to stay on the southern side of the highway all the way to West Ballina.

If the route followed Ballina Road, a new pedestrian and bike bridge over the Bruxner Highway would be needed. This would add more than $4 million to the project cost.

The Mountain Bike Park connection and underpass of the Bruxner Highway is included for the southern routes (Options A and B) to provide a safe and direct link from the south side of the highway to an existing recreational facility on the north side of the highway. It supports active transport, recreation and tourism, and improves access without requiring users to travel across the busy Bruxner Highway.

The Northern routes (Options C and D) are already adjacent to the facility and do not require additional costs to connect.

Not directly. The proposed shared path between Alstonville and Ballina is a separate project and does not currently connect to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. However, it is designed to complement the broader active transport network, and future connections may be considered as opportunities arise.

It is anticipated that future construction of the proposed Goonellabah to Wollongbar deviation of the Bruxner Highway (a future Transport for NSW Proposal) will provide an adjacent active transport shared path. This link would connect to Wollongbar and Alstonville path networks and via this project to Ballina. At the Lismore end existing pathways within Lismore may be able to connect to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail at South Lismore.