The project is funding $3 million in 35 cycling infrastructure projects around South Australia, with the Alexandrina Council one of the few SA councils to receive funding.

The 3.3 kilometre Goolwa project will be called the Riverside Shared Path and will be a shared off-road bicycle and pedestrian path from Laffin Point, along Liverpool Road to the Goolwa Wharf car park.

Future stages of the bike path will see it extended for the remainder of the foreshore area linking up with the encounter bikeway.

The second project is stage one of the Angus River shared path in Strathalbyn, which will provide a sealed path link from the Strathalbyn CBD to the southern Fairfield drive area and also link to schools and developed areas.

The Alexandrina mayor Kym McHugh said the new paths would be a benefit to the community.

“There has been a rapid growth in the popularity of cycling in our towns recently with bike user groups both in Strathalbyn and Goolwa. This will further encourage cycling and other recreational activity,” he said.

“Another great thing about this, especially in Goolwa, is that it fits in with the Cittaslow theme, tying in with the environment and a healthy way of life. It (cycling) is a nice passive way of getting out and having a look around,” Mr McHugh said.

Members of the Goolwa and Districts Bicycle User Group (GAD-BUG) Brian and Marg Rawlins said the new bike path in Goolwa would be a great asset to the community.

“This is going to be fantastic…we took up cycling three or four years ago and we’ve met so many terrific people through GAD-BUG,” they said.

Construction of the Strathalbyn bike path will be completed by the end of this financial year, while construction of the Goolwa path will begin before the end of the financial year.