Bulli & Clifton Times

FINANCIAL assistance under the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme (LIRS) will enable Wollongong City Council to reconstruct footpaths on the Princes Highway at Woonona, and new paving at Seafoam Avenue Thirroul.

Deputy Lord Mayor David Brown said it was a pleasure to accept the LIRS grant from the Minister for the Illawarra, Mr Greg Pearce.

“Council welcomes the four per cent interest subsidy from the State Government, which will enable Council to take out a $20 million loan to fund much needed footpath and cycleway works. Council will provide an additional $18.5 million towards the five year program, with $1.75 million of LIRS funded projects included in Council’s 2012/2013 works program.

Under the program $100,000 will be allocated towards rebuilding the footpath along the western side of the Princes Highway between the driveway into McDonalds Restaurant at Woonona and Magnolia Green Residential Estate. Also, $330,000 will be spent on new full width pavers on the western side of the Princes Highway from Popes Lane to Nicholson Road, near the Woonona Bulli RSL Club.

Residents in Seafoam Avenue THirroul will have $150,000 spent on a new footpath between Church Street and Coast Road.

“The interest subsidy will enable Council to accelerate the renewal of footpaths and cycleways, as well as the construction of missing links in the footpath network across the city by taking out a loan to almost double the amount available for the works over the next five years. This will help us move towards living in a sustainable and healthy city as it becomes more walkable,” Cr Brown said.

“A walkable city is also a safer city as more people are outside taking a stroll or walking the dog or enjoying the beautiful environment we have in our city.”

Council applied for funding based on a $38.5 million program of works that will be constructed over five years with the loan being paid back over 10 years.