Council refuses to endorse near $1 million Peppermint Grove Beach to Capel town bike path ... for now

The Shire of Capel has decided against endorsing nearly $1 million in funding for a bike path between Peppermint Grove Beach and Capel at last week’s council meeting. The Shire received nine requests totalling more than $1.1m by the Peppermint Grove Beach Community Association. The bulk of this ($990,110) for an east-west bike/pedestrian link which would connect Capel to Peppermint Grove Beach. In the officer’s comments presented to the Capel council they recommended not to include the funding in the 2024-25 draft annual budget but noted the Shire was seeking external funding to undertake a renewal of the trail master plan. “Notably, this master plan outlines a potential Capel to Peppermint Beach link,” it read. “It is the Shire’s intention to ensure the inclusion of this trail in the revised master plan. However, its prioritisation will be determined in conjunction with other recommended trails, ensuring alignment with the overarching strategic documents of the shire. “This east-west link could also form a critical ’juncture’ off the proposed Bunbury-Capel-Busselton cycle path; which forms part of the shire’s strategic advocacy document to State and Federal bodies.” A $15,000 fund for a feasibility study into making Peppermint Grove and Dalyellup beaches accessible beaches was the only request endorsed by the council as presented by the group. Support for a master plan for the Peppermint Grove Beach Community Centre precinct and consideration of the inclusion of verge maintenance improvement works on Peppermint Grove Beach Road in the 2024-25 draft parks program of works were also passed by the council, after changes to the wording was put forward by shire president Doug Kitchen. Cr Kitchen noted the two requests he moved to alter would take into account other projects happening by the shire. The final decision was carried unanimously.