House debates

Thursday, 3 September 2020

Statements by Members

SmartBar Walk for a Veteran with PTSD, Mayo Electorate: Cycling and Walking Trails

1:42 pm

Photo of Rebekha SharkieRebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | | Hansard source

I recently joined hundreds of walkers for the annual SmartBar Walk for a Veteran with PTSD. This event raises awareness, and it raised around $60,000 for veterans and emergency services personnel. I would like to acknowledge walk founder Chad McLaren for organising such a worthwhile initiative.

I'd also mention the beautiful shared-use trail through the Adelaide Hills that was used for a large section of the walk. The Amy Gillett Bikeway stretches from Oakbank to Mount Torrens and is very popular. Securing funding to complete stage 4 of the bikeway, from Mount Torrens to Birdwood, is a project I have been advocating for since I was first elected in 2016. Thousands use the bikeway. It is a huge drawcard for tourism in Mayo. Completing stage 4 will add to the appeal of this safe, family-friendly trail.

Further south, I'm pushing for a shared walking and cycling track between McLaren Flat and McLaren Vale. The Flat to Vale Trail is a high-priority project in the McLaren Vale wine region, and I'm very pleased to advocate, on behalf of our community, for federal support for this very worthwhile project.

Walking, cycling, horseriding—they're very popular recreational activities in Mayo. On the Amy Gillett Bikeway, you'll see prams and little tykes on bikes. Building a network of trails adds to the social and economic wellbeing of our community. I look forward to continuing to have positive conversations with government about both of those projects.