Grand Pacific Walk, not so ‘grand’, says Wombarra residents

The Grand Pacific Walk at Wombarra need an urgent upgrade says residents

By MICK ROBERTS

Alexander Percival with his young family

RESIDENTS of Wombarra and Coledale are calling for an urgent upgrade of the deteriorating footpath along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, known as the Grand Pacific Walk.

Wombarra resident, Alexander Percival says sections of the boardwalk bridges have deteriorated to such an extent that holes have opened in the timber, posing a danger to pedestrians.

Mr Percival has two young children, and says his wife has great difficulties negotiating the uneven and cracked footpath surfaces with her pram, while dodging the openings that have appeared in the rotting timber on the boardwalk bridges.

“The wooden sections are the worst, with large holes,” he said.

“It appears single pieces are replaced over time, but never the whole thing. Mums with prams are often getting stuck.”

Mr Percival says the footpath has been in a bad condition since he moved to Wombarra two years ago.

“With the Grand Pacific Walk, it should be a priority to fix,” he said.

“The path should allow the public a safe and family friendly walking option, without holes, to continue through to Thirroul from Scarborough.”

A Wollongong City Council spokesperson said regular maintenance works are undertaken on the section of Grand Pacific Walk between Wombarra and Coledale.

“Sections of the walk around Coledale Public School have been re-asphalted in March and April and asphalting of sections between Wombarra and Coledale are currently underway,” the spokesperson said.

“Council crews plan to maintain the section from Wombarra cemetery to the roadway leading to Wombarra rock pool in coming weeks.”

The spokesman told The Bulli & Clifton Times that the Council has undertaken “temporary repairs” to the board walk just south of the Sea Cliff Bridge.

“Council is currently putting together a detailed design for the long term maintenance of this section of pathway,” he said.

The upgrade to sections of the Grand Pacific Walk at Austinmer and Clifton are scheduled in Council’s Draft four-year Infrastructure Delivery Program which will be considered by Council at its Extraordinary meeting on Monday, May 11.

Residents are calling for an upgrade of the Grand Pacific Walk at Wombarra and Coledale

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