Grand walk starts in the north

State MP for Kiama Gareth Ward, State MP for Heathcote Lee Evans, Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Brabery and Cr Leigh Colacino at the site of the start of works on stage one of the Grand Pacific Walk.

WORK on Lawrence Hargrave Drive for the construction of the long-awaited stage one of the Grand Pacific Walk between Stanwell Park and Coalcliff i underway.

Vegetation is being removed by Wollongong City Council along the future pathway site between Coalcliff railway station and Stoney Creek Bridge, Coalcliff.

Council has been undertaking consultation with the community on the Grand Pacific Walk since 2013 and has completed a review of environmental factors for the vegetation removal.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the walk is an ambitious project to create safe, shared pathways from the Royal National Park in the city’s north to Lake Illawarra in the south.

“Already, there are some picturesque parts of the walk around Wollongong Harbour’s Blue Mile and around Bulli,” he said.

“Council is now beginning work on a three-kilometre section which runs between Stoney Creek Bridge and Stanwell Park. This is a high priority because it is steep with unstable sections and in many areas has no existing pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.

“Throughout this project, Council’s focus has been on providing safer and more accessible shared pathways for the benefit of locals and visitors. We’ve worked with the community throughout the planning of this long-term project and thank everyone who has provided their feedback and comments.”

The Grand Pacific Walk Stage 1 has been largely funded by the NSW Government with a $5 million investment under the Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund and additional funding provided by Wollongong City Council.

For more information visit Council’s website, or you can contact Council’s Customer Services on (02) 4227 7111.