21 June 2012

Centenary Trail rejigged

| johnboy
Join the conversation
17
centenary trail

Chief Minister Gallagher has announced a revised alignment for the much anticipated Centenary Trail:

“The $3.3 million self-guided Centenary Trail will be established as part of the 100th birthday celebrations for Canberra and will take walkers and cyclists on a journey through urban and nearby rural environments showcasing iconic and lesser-known locations that tell the story of Canberra,” the Chief Minister said.

“The ACT Government is pleased with the high level of interest in this project, as reflected in the over 100 submissions that were received from individuals and community groups following a call for community feedback in November last year.

“Community input on the proposed alignment will ensure the trail is sustainable in terms of its route, usage and management into the future. Detailed heritage and ecological surveys will now be undertaken for all the proposed new sections of the trail to assess potential impacts,” the Chief Minister said.

Comments primarily focussed on proposed changes to the alignment to avoid environmentally sensitive areas or to enhance user experience, construction impacts and delivery, and shared use of the trail and the alignment has been revised to reflect the best balance between the issues raised.

Designed for low intensity users (walkers and cyclists), the trail will start in the Parliamentary Triangle and loop around the ACT through locations including ANZAC Parade and the War Memorial, Lake Burley Griffin, Mount Ainslie, Black Mountain and Red Hill Nature Reserves, the National Arboretum, Stromlo Forest Park, Mulligans Flat Sanctuary and many more. The majority of the trail will make use of existing fire trails, walking tracks and shared paths with approximately 20 kilometres of new trail to be constructed.

I’m gagging to have at it.

Join the conversation

17
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
wildturkeycanoe8:07 pm 22 Jun 12

thy_dungeonman said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

thy_dungeonman said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

thy_dungeonman – precisely what I was expecting to hear from cyclists, they get something, but still not happy unless it goes from their front door to their work in a straight line, exclusively for them, lined with pretty lights and lane markers, just like in Europe. This isn’t a transport road, it’s a tourist gimmick.

That’s pretty much what motorists get, why shouldn’t cyclists. Also you were the one who mentioned it might get cyclists off the road, I just pointed out that it wouldn’t if it’s just a tourist route. Take out most of the roads in the center and pretend that the blue line is a new ring-road around Canberra, how would motorists feel?

If the blue line was an open road without traffic lights, intersections and pedestrian crossings..I’d love it. Mt Panorama eat your heart out. I’d lap it regularly for the pure delight of non-stop driving pleasure.

Then imagine half of it is gravel and one way streets, it has tonne of pedestrian crossings and intersections with slow-moving traffic, fallen trees all over it and whenever there are roadworks cones are put up across the entire width and you have to detour off-road.

Ha ha! Sounds like a typical commute from the burbs into Civic on any given day.

thy_dungeonman3:55 pm 22 Jun 12

wildturkeycanoe said :

thy_dungeonman said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

thy_dungeonman – precisely what I was expecting to hear from cyclists, they get something, but still not happy unless it goes from their front door to their work in a straight line, exclusively for them, lined with pretty lights and lane markers, just like in Europe. This isn’t a transport road, it’s a tourist gimmick.

That’s pretty much what motorists get, why shouldn’t cyclists. Also you were the one who mentioned it might get cyclists off the road, I just pointed out that it wouldn’t if it’s just a tourist route. Take out most of the roads in the center and pretend that the blue line is a new ring-road around Canberra, how would motorists feel?

If the blue line was an open road without traffic lights, intersections and pedestrian crossings..I’d love it. Mt Panorama eat your heart out. I’d lap it regularly for the pure delight of non-stop driving pleasure.

Then imagine half of it is gravel and one way streets, it has tonne of pedestrian crossings and intersections with slow-moving traffic, fallen trees all over it and whenever there are roadworks cones are put up across the entire width and you have to detour off-road.

wildturkeycanoe1:29 pm 22 Jun 12

thy_dungeonman said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

thy_dungeonman – precisely what I was expecting to hear from cyclists, they get something, but still not happy unless it goes from their front door to their work in a straight line, exclusively for them, lined with pretty lights and lane markers, just like in Europe. This isn’t a transport road, it’s a tourist gimmick.

That’s pretty much what motorists get, why shouldn’t cyclists. Also you were the one who mentioned it might get cyclists off the road, I just pointed out that it wouldn’t if it’s just a tourist route. Take out most of the roads in the center and pretend that the blue line is a new ring-road around Canberra, how would motorists feel?

If the blue line was an open road without traffic lights, intersections and pedestrian crossings..I’d love it. Mt Panorama eat your heart out. I’d lap it regularly for the pure delight of non-stop driving pleasure.

FioBla said :

Meh, the cost is only 12 days of ACTION subsidy.

I hope all Government spending will be measured in these units in the future. It is a very hand reference to keep things in perspective.

thy_dungeonman9:36 am 22 Jun 12

wildturkeycanoe said :

thy_dungeonman – precisely what I was expecting to hear from cyclists, they get something, but still not happy unless it goes from their front door to their work in a straight line, exclusively for them, lined with pretty lights and lane markers, just like in Europe. This isn’t a transport road, it’s a tourist gimmick.

That’s pretty much what motorists get, why shouldn’t cyclists. Also you were the one who mentioned it might get cyclists off the road, I just pointed out that it wouldn’t if it’s just a tourist route. Take out most of the roads in the center and pretend that the blue line is a new ring-road around Canberra, how would motorists feel?

patrick_keogh8:14 am 22 Jun 12

Aeek said :

Can’t figure if we will have a reliable way to get across the river again, without going all the way out to Stromlo.I miss my offroad commute to work.

Not quite sure what your commute is, but the Centenary Trail uses the old low level crossing at https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Canberra,+Australian+Capital+Territory&aq=0&oq=canberra&sll=-27.527758,135.703125&sspn=63.544525,114.169922&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Canberra+Australian+Capital+Territory&ll=-35.318714,149.047112&spn=0.002628,0.003484&t=h&z=19 . This has been closed to cyclists for some time due to the site works for the Stromlo suburbs.

The other crossing where the pipeline goes across the river near the RSPCA at https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Canberra,+Australian+Capital+Territory&aq=0&oq=canberra&sll=-27.527758,135.703125&sspn=63.544525,114.169922&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Canberra+Australian+Capital+Territory&ll=-35.31804,149.052946&spn=0.005255,0.006968&t=h&z=18 was opened as a “once off” for Capital Punishment this year but is typically closed.

Can’t figure if we will have a reliable way to get across the river again, without going all the way out to Stromlo.I miss my offroad commute to work.

Meh, the cost is only 12 days of ACTION subsidy.

wildturkeycanoe9:42 pm 21 Jun 12

Ooooh, got some bites already!! Yes I do like some things, cars and driving being one of them. When cars become extinct, I sincerely hope I have too!
I was merely having a go at the dollar figure and will keep watch on this as it unrolls. Let’s see if the 3.3 escalates over the years until it’s complete, just like GDE, Arboretum and pretty much everything that the ACT Gov spends on.
thy_dungeonman – precisely what I was expecting to hear from cyclists, they get something, but still not happy unless it goes from their front door to their work in a straight line, exclusively for them, lined with pretty lights and lane markers, just like in Europe. This isn’t a transport road, it’s a tourist gimmick.

thy_dungeonman7:43 pm 21 Jun 12

wildturkeycanoe said :

$165 per metre if for for new trails only. I bet the $3.3M doesn’t include the “detailed heritage and ecological surveys”, or the extra works required after these surveys are complete. Those extra costs will no doubt come out of my rates rise. I guess at least it will take more cyclists of our roads, that should make ’em happy.

Because what we really need to get cyclists off the roads is more winding recreational rather than direct commuter cycling routes.

patrick_keogh7:16 pm 21 Jun 12

wildturkeycanoe said :

” I guess at least it will take more cyclists of our roads, that should make ’em happy.

Dear Turkey,

Sorry but if anything it will increase the number of cyclists on our roads. The more people get out and discover that it is really good to pedal, to be part of the environment, to exercise in a non-polluting way, the more likely it is that these same people are going to ride to work, to the shops, to the school, to a movie.

You’ll just have to get over it sooner or later, the number and percentage of people using bicycles or walking or using public transport is going to rise and rise and rise. The days of the metal dinosaur are numbered.

wildturkeycanoe said :

“The $3.3 million self-guided Centenary Trail will be established as part of the 100th birthday celebrations for Canberra and will take walkers and cyclists on a journey through urban and nearby rural environments showcasing iconic and lesser-known locations that tell the story of Canberra,” the Chief Minister said.” “The majority of the trail will make use of existing fire trails, walking tracks and shared paths with approximately 20 kilometres of new trail to be constructed.”

$165 per metre if for for new trails only. I bet the $3.3M doesn’t include the “detailed heritage and ecological surveys”, or the extra works required after these surveys are complete. Those extra costs will no doubt come out of my rates rise. I guess at least it will take more cyclists of our roads, that should make ’em happy.

& the usual suspects erupt. Fair dinkum, do you like anything?

wildturkeycanoe6:15 pm 21 Jun 12

“The $3.3 million self-guided Centenary Trail will be established as part of the 100th birthday celebrations for Canberra and will take walkers and cyclists on a journey through urban and nearby rural environments showcasing iconic and lesser-known locations that tell the story of Canberra,” the Chief Minister said.” “The majority of the trail will make use of existing fire trails, walking tracks and shared paths with approximately 20 kilometres of new trail to be constructed.”

$165 per metre if for for new trails only. I bet the $3.3M doesn’t include the “detailed heritage and ecological surveys”, or the extra works required after these surveys are complete. Those extra costs will no doubt come out of my rates rise. I guess at least it will take more cyclists of our roads, that should make ’em happy.

So, Henry BG…..you up for it?

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII4:48 pm 21 Jun 12

basketcase said :

In heart attack terms, maybe just as well that those four peaks are out of it, I think the average recreational rider will still have a good workout just doing the trail.

Really look forward to its opening.

The average recreational rider in Canberra might just be capable of more than you give them credit for, and if not they would still have the option to bypass the climbs until they’ve built up the fitness.

In heart attack terms, maybe just as well that those four peaks are out of it, I think the average recreational rider will still have a good workout just doing the trail.

Really look forward to its opening.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1:45 pm 21 Jun 12

Looks like riders will miss out on Mt Ainlsie, Mt Majura, Red hill and Black Mountain, they’re marked as ‘walk only detours’.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.