Sunshine Butterflies participant and enthusiastic bike rider, Bree Johnson is petitioning to get the bike and walking path from Tewantin to Lake Cooroibah extended approximately 1.7km to Silverwood drive, Cooroibah.
The extended path will create greater access for people of all abilities to walk or cycle from Tewantin to one of Noosa’s largest organisations and disability support services, Sunshine Butterflies.
Sunshine Butterflies supports over 150 people living with disability in the Noosa Shire, employs over 100 staff and has a team of 30 dedicated volunteers.
Multiple community groups, schools and community members also access Sunshine Butterflies ‘Our Backyard’ facility daily.
Bree Johnson said, “The extended bike/walking path will be great for people that access Sunshine Butterflies services, programs and activities and would encourage bike riding and walking in the area for people of all abilities.”“Having the bike/walking path would be great as people would be able to ride safely around the area without having to worry about the big trucks that use McKinnon drive regularly.
“Bike riding is my main mode of transport and without proper paths it makes it very difficult to get around.
“Without the proposed bike path, the challenges of riding between Tewantin and Sunshine Butterflies community facility ‘Our Backyard’ and surrounding areas are going to remain.
“I would love to see the bike path extended so that myself and others can safely ride around the area.”Community Development Sunshine Butterflies Lucy Mills said, “Currently there is a lack of accessible walk and cycle paths in this area which is creating barriers for Sunshine Butterflies participants living with disability, staff, volunteers and general members of the community who access Sunshine Butterflies multipurpose community facility ‘Our Backyard’ daily.”“The current Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy and Implementation Plan does not consider this extended path a current priority.
“We hope to make it a priority so all abilities can walk, cycle or roll to their destination.”
Anyone who would like to support this cause, please visit their Change.org link at change.org/accessiblebikeandwalkingpathmckinnondrive to sign the petition.
