Lavington-Jindera recreational path feasibility study to be carried out by Albury and Greater Hume councils

Albury and Greater Shire councils have agreed to jointly fund a feasibility study into options for the path's alignment, pinpointing further environmental and heritage studies required for approvals and early construction estimates.

The councils have allocated $25,000 each to complete the feasibility study.

The Lavington-Jindera path was first mooted 11 years ago before being resurrected two years ago by Greater Hume Shire with a working party put together and made up of councillors and staff from the two councils.

A site visit was held in late 2019 and follow up meetings held.

IN OTHER NEWS

But early investigations have found much of the alignment from Jelbart Road in Greater Hume to Lavington in Albury would be located within environmental conservation and management zones.

The area also contains white box, yellow box, Blakely's red gum grassy woodland, which is listed as critically endangered and existing vegetation present is also likely to support numerous threatened fauna species such as squirrel gliders and woodland birds.

Other identified hurdles include traffic implications, safety, cost, and alignment options.

But late last year, there was a strong response to community engagement on the project conducted by both councils.

There was a total of 655 survey responses and support was evenly split between the two councils with 90 per cent of overall respondents in support of undertaking a feasibility study.

On the subject of what type of path should be considered, more than 80 per cent of all respondents believe any path should be off-road with 33 per cent supporting a hybrid, on and off-road shared path and only 14 per cent in support of an on-road option.

The project update will be noted at the Albury Council meeting on Monday.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: