CONCERNS that a bicycle plan in the Town of Cambridge was too detailed for residents to comprehend led to heated debate at last week’s meeting.

Councillors considered an administration recommendation to release a five-year bicycle plan 2017-2021 for public comment but it was referred back to an elected member forum for further discussion.

Concerns were raised that the report, which outlined more than $16 million of bike path projects to connect the east and west across the Town, including $5.25 million for a Perth to City Beach system, may be too detailed for the community to process.

A four-week public online consultation survey was conducted from October to November last year as well as a community workshop.

More than 350 responses formed the basis for the Draft Bicycle Plan.

Cr Corinne MacRae said reasons to defer the draft were “opaque”.

Mayor Keri Shannon, a self-confessed cyclist, said the projects outlined by the consultant may not line up with what the community wanted or needed.

Cr Ron Bradley said he believed the State Government was “blackmailing” the Town into building its own cycle ways.

“I love cyclists but they don’t obey the road rules,” he said.

“The State Government gets us to spend our money doing what the State Government should do (promote safety).

When Cr MacRae tried to speak again, Mayor Shannon stopped her, saying she had already spoken on the topic.

Cr MacRae said Cr Bradley was “rabbitting on” which prompted the latter to slam his agenda on his desk several times.

Cr Bradley stood up and while slamming his agenda on the council chambers desk, called for a point of order.

Cr Jane Powell covered her ears and turned away.

“Cr MacRae cannot talk about other councillors like that,” she said.

Cr MacRae revoked her comment.

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