Feds reject Modbury to Gawler bike path bid

Tea Tree Gully Mayor Miriam Smith has backed plans for a 20km bike path from Modbury to Gawler. Picture: Luke Hemer Source: adelaidenow

PLANS for a cycling trail linking Adelaide's northeast suburbs to the Barossa Valley have failed to win Federal Government support.

Tea Tree Gully Council's bid for $4.5 million Regional Development Australia funding for the project was rejected by the government last month.

The grant would have funded a 20km bike path from Modbury to Gawler which connected to the existing trail from Gawler to Tanunda.

Gully Mayor Miriam Smith said the project would provide a missing link for cyclists riding from Adelaide to the Barossa.

"I've been driving this project because the River Torrens Linear Trail ends on the eastern side of Tea Tree Gully with nowhere else to go," Ms Smith said.

"There's a gap between Modbury and Gawler.

"If we connected them it would make the track one of the largest in the world."

Early plans for the trail indicated it would pass through Golden Grove and along One Tree Hill Rd to Gawler.

Ms Smith said Gawler and Playford councils had already given in principle support to the project.

She said she would lobby the State Government to support the proposal and urge the council to again apply for federal funding.

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Hundreds oppose Modbury height increases

Modbury residents opposed to proposed building height increases (from left) Ken Banwell, Michael Taylor and Brenda Banwell. Picture: Nicholas Wrankmore Source: adelaidenow

A 700-signature petition opposing building height increases in Modbury has been lodged with Tea Tree Gully Council.

Head petitioner Michael Taylor said it was an "overwhelming" response from residents to the council's plan to allow buildings of up to five-storeys in the suburb.

"We hope the council doesn't ignore this petition and they acknowledge the fact that we have 700 signatures opposing the building height increases," Mr Taylor, of Modbury, said.

The council last month released its draft 30-year plan for the Modbury area, which included three and four-storey apartments, five storey mixed-use buildings and restaurants along the edge of Civic Park.

As previously reported by the Leader Messenger, some residents were concerned the proposed changes would create traffic congestion and parking problems and reduce privacy.

Tea Tree Gully Mayor Miriam Smith said the petition would be added to community feedback on the proposal and considered by the council.

Consultation on the draft plan closed last week.

A report on the proposal is expected to be presented to elected members in May.

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