Sydney is a step closer to being the best walking city in the world, with new funding allocated for missing links of the 91km Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link, and the start of consultation on a NSW Walking Strategy.
The 91km long route will connect Parramatta Park to the Opera House and Botanical Gardens. 68km of the walk is already accessible via shared pathways, while 23 km of missing links require planning and construction.
The Minns Labor Government is investing $4.5 million to complete four missing links in the Canada Bay local government area:
- New and upgraded shared paths, lighting, and raised crossings connecting Allison Park, Campbell Park and Lysaght Park in Chiswick.
- Upgraded path, lighting and a new raised crossing at Wire Mill Reserve in Chiswick.
- New shared pathways and lighting at Shadrack Shaw Reserve, Concord will improve the link between Majors Bay Reserve and the Mortlake and Breakfast Point peninsulas.
- Improved access to the Bay Run with one raised shared crossing with upgraded street lighting at Timbrell Drive and two extra raised pedestrian crossings and street lighting on Henley Marine Drive near Millar Street and Nield Park.
The 3.5 metre wide shared pathways will be delivered by the City of Canada Bay Council who will deliver the projects, with a construction tender to be released in the coming months.
$2.36 million of work on missing links in the City of Parramatta has already commenced, with improved lighting and a raised pedestrian and cyclist crossing on Brodie Street in Rydalmere and construction nearing completion for a new shared pathway along George Street East in Parramatta, through Queens Wharf. The Bennelong Parkway Bridge and Connecting Paths will start construction in mid-2026.
$8.23 million has been invested in planning and design along the foreshore which has informed current projects and future stages of foreshore upgrades.
The Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link will build on an increasing number of dedicated walks throughout Sydney including the 80km Bondi to Manly walk that was opened in 2019 and the recent opening of the 6km GreenWay which connects the Cooks River Trail, Earlwood with the Bay Run in Haberfield.
To improve the way government and councils plan, fund and design public spaces to encourage walking, the Minns Labor Government is releasing the Walkable NSW Issues Paper, launching a consultation that will inform the development of NSW's first ever Walking Strategy.
Further updates on the Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link will be shared soon, as Transport for NSW continues to work closely with local councils, to inform the design and delivery of the next priority connections.
Click here to see the Walkable NSW Discussion Paper.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"The success of the GreenWay and the Bondi to Manly walks, gives you a sense of what's possible given our incredible geography and exercise culture.
"Walking is the most popular form of transport in NSW, so it makes sense that we take a strategic approach to maximise our potential as a walking city.
"The walking strategy will help state government and local councils do a better job of planning, funding and designing our streets and places in a way that encourages walking. We're starting by asking the community what's most important."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"This 91km connection will link a number of Sydney's world class public spaces and encourage more people to get active and explore parts of the city on foot.
"The new connections across the Inner West will complement plans for a new swim spot along the Bay Run and add to the work we're already doing at Blackwattle Bay to complete the missing link in the 15-kilometre foreshore walk from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo."
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Dr Marjorie O'Neill said:
"Whether its locals getting some exercise or international tourists in awe of our city, we have some of the most stunning urban walks in the world, we just need to connect them better.
"These vital links in Canada Bay are crucial to the ongoing work of connecting this incredible walk.
"We thank the Canada Bay Council for their work in delivering these projects to connect the existing walking paths along their part of the foreshore walk."
Mayor of the City of Canada Bay Michael Megna said:
"We are looking forward to delivering the first new connections of the 91km Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link following close consultation with our community.
"This project will bring to life our commitment to a fully-connected, accessible foreshore, as well as open up more opportunities for active transport across the City."
