The latest design phase connects Austinmer and Coledale including the Sharky Beach Carpark.
Key points:
- The revised design will revisit ways to include more than one entry/exit point to the renewed Sharky Beach carpark, while minimising the potential reduction of parking spaces.
- Other tweaks include formalising and maintaining access to the smaller informal carpark on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, addition of new bicycle parking and water fountains, and increased shade through planting of native species.
- The shared path will remain on the eastern side of the carpark with a 1.5m buffer from the carpark.
Wollongong City Council has taken another major step towards a fully realised Grand Pacific Walk, with engagement on a key section of the project at Coledale now complete.
The Grand Pacific Walk is an envisioned 60-kilometre shared path running alongside Grand Pacific Drive from the Royal National Park to Lake Illawarra. Works have been completed at Stanwell Park, Seacliff Bridge, Coalcliff, Coledale Beach and Clifton, while staged works at Austinmer are underway.
The next phase of the project – Coledale Stage 1 – connects Austinmer and Coledale including the Sharky Beach Carpark.
Based on community input, the revised design will revisit ways to include more than one entry/exit point to the renewed Sharky Beach carpark, while minimising the potential reduction of parking spaces and impact to the existing bus zone and heritage Norfolk Island Pines.
Other tweaks include formalising and maintaining access to the smaller informal carpark on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, addition of new bicycle parking and water fountains, and increased shade through planting of native species.
The shared path will remain on the eastern side of the carpark with a 1.5m buffer from the carpark, with 'slow' pavement marking to support lower bicycle speeds for rider and pedestrian safety.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown thanked the community for its input, saying a collaborative approach with residents is essential to realising a shared vision for the Grand Pacific Walk.
"This is an ambitious project that weaves through multiple suburbs, so it's very important that we are hearing from the community every step of the way," Cr Brown said.
"The vision for the Grand Pacific Walk is a continuous walking and cycling link, but no two sections of it will be the same. We need to be having regular conversations to ensure the design meets the needs, expectations and aspirations residents have for their suburbs.
"It will be an iconic tourist attraction bringing thousands of visitors to our region, but it must be accessible and user-friendly for the residents who will use it every day and retain the character of the neighbourhoods they call home.
"It's vitally important we get the designs right and we thank all the residents who engaged with us on this phase of the project. We look forward to finalising the design and adding more building blocks on the path to completion of this exciting project."
Following implementation of community feedback, the updated design will be forwarded to project partner Transport for NSW prior to finalisation.
Early design work for Coledale Stage 2 – from Sharky Beach carpark through to Coledale Town Centre – is progressing, with the aim of sharing this with the community in the coming months.
We have also completed the design for Austinmer Stage 2, with construction programmed for this financial year in our Infrastructure Delivery Program. You can see our full Infrastructure Delivery Program for details on when different sections are planned.
