New signage has been installed along the Fernleigh Track to address anti‑social behaviour and help ensure the popular shared pathway remains safe and welcoming for all users.
14 signs, encouraging track users to report anti-social behaviour to police, have been installed at all access points to the track in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
NSW Police District Inspector Anita Kruse said the signage would play an important role in combating incidents.
"Over the past twelve months Police have conducted regular patrols and continue to respond to incidents on the Fernleigh track," she said.
"Lake Macquarie Police District have also conducted operations specific to the Fernleigh Track including bike patrols and foot patrols."
"During these operations Police have had hundreds of interactions with users of the path discussing their concerns and providing education in relation to e-bikes."
Over the past twelve months, ten infringements notices have been issued, and 24 offences have been dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
Twenty-one incidents have been reported on the track across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie which is consistent with the same time last year.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said this was a key part of a broader approach to improve safety following a Fernleigh Track roundtable meeting with key representatives in late 2025.
"A marketing campaign, encouraging respectful use of public spaces and educating people to report anti-social behaviour, will be amplified across the Hunter," he said.
"This is just the first of many initiatives developed by that working group, which will continue to create and implement safety improvements well into the future."
Roundtable attendees included Minister for Police, Minister for the Hunter and Swansea Yasmin Catley MP, representatives from the office of the Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison MP, senior NSW Police representatives and former Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge.
From this, a working group was created with key representatives from Lake Macquarie City Council, City of Newcastle, NSW Police, Transport NSW and the Hunter Joint Organisation.
Newcastle Council's representative on the Committee, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said a collaborative approach is key to enhancing the safety of the Fernleigh Track.
"The Fernleigh Track is a popular destination that attracts local and visiting cyclists, runners and pedestrians all year round," Cr Winney-Baartz said.
"It has been positive to see stakeholders from across different levels of government and the community work collaboratively on initiatives that will help address the current issues and help all users feel safe and secure when accessing the track."
Quotes attributed to Minister for Police and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley MP.
"NSW Police are working alongside both Lake Macquarie City Council and Newcastle City Council to help improve safety on the track, but we need the community's support. If you see an incident on the track, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or if you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Earlier this month Police conducted an operation on the track between Belmont and Speers Point with further operations planned to support education and improve safety for users of the pathway".
Quotes attributed to Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison MP.
"The new signage is a key step in improving safety measures on the Fernleigh Track.
I look forward to continuing to work with local stakeholders to ensure everyone can safely enjoy this fantastic community asset."
Fernleigh Track information
- Length: 15.3km
- Location: Adamstown-Belmont (2.2km in Newcastle LGA, 13.1km in Lake Macquarie LGA); separately, the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST) adjoins the Fernleigh Track and runs from Belmont to Blacksmiths. It is 3.5km in length
- Annual Fernleigh Track users: approximately 400,000
- Rail corridor operated from 1890s to 1991 for trains hauling coal from Lake Macquarie mines to Newcastle, also for passengers
- Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City Councils jointly purchased corridor in 1994
- Shared pathway construction completed in stages from 2003-2011
