State funding for new shared path and Encounter Bikeway upgrade

Alexandrina Council has been awarded around $125,134.90 through the State Bicycle Fund to build a new shared-use path on Mill Terrace, Middleton, that incorporates part of the Encounter Bikeway.

The funding was announced by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon. Joe Szakacs MP, at Middleton during the State Government's Country Cabinet visit to the South Coast on 8 October.

When built, the pedestrian and cycling pathway would extend from the Padman Street pedestrian bridge to the beach car park.

The Mill Terrace pathway is an existing Council project in Council's 2026/27 Annual Community Plan (ACP).

The ACP funds the design and construction of the remaining Mill Terrace pathway to the beach area.

Mayor Keith Parkes said the additional State Government funding would allow  Council to increase the width of the pathway, incorporate additional safety features and improve amenity.

The separate footpath project for the northern section of Mill Terrace, between Goolwa Road and the rail corridor, has been put forward as a design-only project under the 2026/27 ACP.

The State Bicycle Fund is an annual competitive subsidy scheme that provides dollar-for-dollar financial assistance to councils in South Australia to develop and implement local cycling initiatives. It's run by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

The fund aims to encourage cycling, increase community connectivity, improve road safety, public health and air quality, and reduce carbon emissions.

See the State Bike Fund Media Release here

Image: Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes, left,  with the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon. Joe Szakacs MP, at Mill Terrace, Middleton. The Minister announced that around $130,000 would be granted to Council through the State Bicycle Fund to build a new shared-use path on Mill Terrace that incorporates part of the Encounter Bikeway.