THE footpath on Princes Highway between Popes Road and Nicholson Road in Woonona will be repaved after Wollongong City Council won a four percent interest subsidy on a $20 million loan.

The money will be used over five years to accelerate works on footpaths across the city. Council will seek the funds at a fixed rate through a financial services provider and under the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme Council will receive the interest subsidy over the nine year period of the loan.

Besides Woonona, footpaths and shared paths to be constructed under the scheme include:

• Reconstructing the eastern footpath along Kembla Street between Crown St and Burelli St, Wollongong
• a new footpath along Abercrombie Street, West Wollongong
• a new shared path on Murphy’s Avenue, Keiraville.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the renewal scheme funding will allow council to add a further 23 projects to the 2012/2013 program of works, totalling $4.6 million. In the 2013/2014 financial year the program will deliver 35 projects valued at $6.3 million.

“This is great incentive for community members to enjoy the great footpaths and cycleways in our city and get active,” Cr Bradbery said.