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Sydney based company Fleetwood Urban Pty Ltd has been awarded the tender to build the last major part of Deniliquin’s Beach to Beach Walk.

Providing a much more competitive price than local companies to tender for the project, Deniliquin Mayor Lindsay Renwick said it was exciting to see the last big section going forward.

And he said the continuation of the walk through the Deniliquin Regional Park, to Willoughby’s Beach, is also looking very promising.

Deniliquin councillors awarded the project to the Riverstone based company at its December meeting, for the total price of $173,020.00 plus GST.

Cr Renwick said councillors try to select local companies where possible, but said Fleetwood Urban’s price was far lower than quotes provided by locals.

‘‘We try to keep everything local, but when there is such a significant difference in price we have no choice,’’ he said.

‘‘The people who got the project are well known throughout Australia.’’

This final ‘‘major’’ section, as Cr Renwick describes it, is an elevated boardwalk.

It will run along the river adjacent George St, from behind the Shod art installation to the ramp at the end of Edwardes St.

‘‘It’s the last little bit of constructions,’’ Cr Renwick said.

‘‘After this, there will only be a little birth of path and sealing works to be done.

‘‘The construction works should start early in the new year.’’

Councillors agreed to re-allocate $35,000 from the general fund’s capital works to fund the construction of the new boardwalk.

Until now, much of the Beach to Beach work has been done ‘‘in house’’ by Deni Works staff, Cr Renwick said.

The next stage of the project will be continuing the project in the Deniliquin Regional Park, which Cr Renwick said the National Parks and Wildlife Service will drive.

‘‘National Parks has indicated it has got the funding to do the rest of the walk, from the car park in the forest to Willoughby’s’s Beach.

‘‘It will go right down to the beach, and there’s expected to be seating and rubbish bins.

‘‘There has also been an indication there is some funding available for other walking trails.’’

Cr Renwick said if everything goes smoothly, he hopes the Beach to Beach walk will be ‘‘99 per cent complete by Easter’’.

When complete, the Beach to Beach walk will create a shared pathway from McLean Beach in west Deniliquin to Willoughby’s Beach.

It is a combined walkway and cycle track designed to provide safe access for all members of the community, including pram and wheelchair access.

The walk will also take in the Island Sanctuary.

The project was first discussed by council in 2001, but work was not approved until 2004.