Mandy Hollis and Tank love the new extension down Victoria Ave. Photo / Dave Murdoch
Mandy Hollis and Tank love the new extension down Victoria Ave. Photo / Dave Murdoch
After more than eight years, Dannevirke’s walkway project is nearing completion.
With all the path work done, there are only a few small things to complete before it can be signed off.
Chris Southgate, one of the co-ordinators on the project, spoke at a meeting of the Dannevirke Community Board last week.
Co-ordinators Terry Hynes and Chris Southgate with two appreciative walkers, Pam Menzies and Sarah Keast. Photo / Dave Murdoch
Southgate explained the project was first mooted by a resident, David Martin, in 2008, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the board offered the idea as its project and the Rotary Club was appointed the financial facilitator.
“When Ernie gets into a job, he does it with alacrity and gets on with it.”
He said initially Christison had done it pro bono, “which was very generous of him”, but lately it was on a contract basis.
Member Terry Hynes was also acknowledged for being tireless in his work to bring the project to fruition.
Southgate said the project had cost about $100,000, predominantly in cash raised from the community board and major sponsor the Monty Fairbrother Trust as well as funds from Eastern and Central Community Trust and pub charities.
He said both Rotary and Lions clubs had made substantial cash contributions through their fundraising activities.
The Monty Fairbrother Charitable Trust also provided a substantial donation.
Ernie’s team, which put the latter part together. Photo / Dave Murdoch
From its early beginnings on Smith Rd, the project progressed well along Adelaide Rd and became the walk of choice for many wanting to commune with nature.
Residents reported extensive use of the walkway, with walkers appreciating the safe nature of the track complete with bridges and an even limed surface.
Completion of the walkway took longer than expected as Cadman Rd, chosen to complete the circuit into town, was deemed unsuitable upon closer inspection and the alternative route down Cole St was ruled out by the council after concerns a critical water pipe for the town might be damaged.
Finally, Victoria Ave became the chosen route, and Ernie Christison and his team got cracking last month to complete the link. Finishing touches on the track were being done as recently as last week.
Reactions from the many users of the track have been hugely positive.
Rosemary Harris and Rex do the whole circuit from Smith Rd, rain or fine. Photo / Dave Murdoch
Rosemary Harris, who moved to Dannevirke in the past 18 months, said she chose the town to live in because of the facilities like the walkway, “which is so scenic and safe” for herself in her mobility scooter and her dog Rex.
Mandy Hollis said the final extension had made it so much safer for her and her dog Tank because she had previously worried about using the road, especially at the Adelaide Rd end where visibility was difficult.
Southgate said the project involved a lot of voluntary input, but as time had gone on it had become difficult for people with a community-minded spirit to do voluntary work on a council asset.
He said it would be “a very sad day” if stringent regulations and the possibly over-zealous application of such by the council precluded any voluntary input because the job would never have come about without it.
“My plea is that whilst we don’t want to flout necessary regulations, the one-size-fits-all aspect of a lot of Government regulations is actually making it unnecessarily difficult.”
Meanwhile, a steady flow of grateful residents can be seen on any day along Adelaide Rd: families with babies in prams, others out getting a break in the sun, some using it to train on and locals taking visitors to show them the scenery so close to town.
