While almost intolerably slow, we have thankfully managed to keep in touch with Sutherland Shire Council staff and achieve some progress re the Mill Creek Carpark and Cycleway project.

Council staff, as recently as the last two weeks have now confirmed the following; 

• The northern area of Little Forest Road, as we thought, is unfortunately a confusing mix of ANSTO managed / Federal Government / Cleanaway managed land, with the actual ‘legal’ boundary of Little Forest Road itself, ending at the trailhead of the Mill Creek network. Access rights have been arranged for land managers, with security the responsibility of the Australian Federal Police, but no public access is permitted. What does this mean for us? It essentially puts any temporary or permanent plans for car-parking closer to, or even on-site within, the Mill Creek network, unfortunately off-limits. Even if legal loopholes or management status’ we’re somehow fixed and changed, this would still mean a slower result for achieving carparking and safe access to the network, so the site selected – near the minibike club access off Little Forest Road, near Old Illawarra Road, remains the fastest option.
• Council have acknowledged their ability to complete the Cycleway works first, and no longer will allow those works to be delayed by leasing agreement negotiations which relate to the carpark site. Essentially, Council are secure that they won’t be competing a cycleway that leads no-where, and that doing so independently won’t adversely effect finalising the carpark leasing process. The Cycleway itself however, remains as a corridor only, sadly with no improvements on the 2020 design.
• Procurement for the project is expected to begin in January 2024, and they expect to start the actual on the ground works in April 2024. Given these timings, despite the above re the Cycleway now taking construction priority, we expect it to be nearly undiscernible which project (carpark or cycleway) is actually being done first, and it’s likely both will be constructed simultaneously.
• While funding allocated was originally suggested as being one-third of required, SSC have now ‘flagged’ a further 250k (in addition to the original 100k) in funding to become available as of FY 2024-2025, essentially allowing the project to be completed across the two financial years after it’s April commencement.
• While re-designs started showing up with a 52 space carpark, instead of the 78 space one originally planned for in 2020, SSC confirm that the lease agreement at least, will accommodate the land area of the original 78 space facility. As yet, however, until they finalise and consider the costings, they have yet to commit to constructing the 78 space facility, and are considering completing only the 52, with a potential expansion available at a later time. 

Members can take a sneak peak at the design / location below