A new chapter for Tamworth's outdoor recreation and tourism offering has begun, with the Tamworth Skywalk officially opening today.
The grand opening featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting and a community celebration, with live entertainment, food and drinks, children's activities and the opportunity for attendees to experience the Skywalk firsthand.
The elevated 1.5-kilometre experience connects Victoria Park with Oxley Scenic Lookout, providing a safer alternative to walking along Scenic Road while giving residents and visitors a new way to experience the natural landscape and views across the region.
The idea for a safer pedestrian connection to Oxley Scenic Lookout emerged through community consultation undertaken as part of the Victoria Park Master Plan in 2021.
The Skywalk has been designed to encourage people to get outdoors, be active and spend time in nature, while maximising accessibility for people of different ages and abilities. The design concentrated the stairs in the middle of the structure to allow people using wheelchairs, prams or with limited mobility to access significant sections of the Skywalk from either end.
Tamworth Region Mayor, Russell Webb, said the opening marked an exciting milestone for the community.
"This is a project that started with a simple but important idea; that people should be able to safely walk to the lookout and enjoy the natural environment along the way," Cr Webb said.
"Today, we can see that idea brought to life in a way that offers so much more. The Skywalk is a place to exercise, explore, spend time with family and friends, take in the views or simply enjoy being outdoors. We have also worked hard to make the Skywalk accessible to as many people as possible, so more of our community can experience this part of Tamworth."
The $18 million project was made possible through a $14.3 million investment from the NSW Government, with a Council contribution of $3.7 million.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the Skywalk is an example of the NSW Government investing in projects that make regional communities better places to live, work and visit.
"The Tamworth Skywalk will give locals and visitors a safer, more accessible way to enjoy one of the region's most scenic locations, while supporting recreation, tourism and the local businesses that benefit when people spend more time in town," Minister Moriarty said.
"This project reflects what can be achieved when the NSW Government works with councils to deliver projects that provide long-term benefits for regional communities."
Cr Webb said the project demonstrated the value of strong partnerships, noting that projects of this scale are never delivered by one organisation alone.
"Council has worked closely with head contractor FORGE throughout the planning and construction of the Skywalk, with Council staff coordinating closely with their team, local subcontractors, suppliers and businesses to bring the project together," Cr Webb said.
"The success of the project has relied on that collaboration, problem-solving and a shared commitment to delivering a quality outcome for the community."
FORGE Head of Construction, Robert Antonios, said that FORGE is privileged to have led the delivery of the iconic Tamworth Skywalk as principal contractor, bringing this bespoke project to life, from design and engineering through to construction.
"Local contractor participation was a priority for FORGE. In line with our tender commitment, and as part of our Grassroots™ program, we focused our procurement strategy on engaging local businesses to ensure the project generated meaningful economic benefits for the region across both delivery and supply chains," Mr Antonios said.
"It was a pleasure working with the local teams, who delivered a significant component of the works. Their diligence, expertise and passion were evident throughout the project."
The Tamworth community has also played an important role throughout the planning, design and construction phases of the Skywalk.
Early consultation with community groups and organisations resulted in shaping the final Skywalk alignment, ensuring the project reflects the needs and priorities of those who will use it while also respecting the cultural heritage of the landscape.
The project has required complex construction in a challenging natural environment, including the installation of hundreds of footings, elevated boardwalk sections, viewing platforms and the bridge across Scenic Road. Temporary closures and changes to access were required at different stages of the build to allow work to be carried out safely.
"On behalf of Council, I want to thank the community for their patience and understanding while this project was being built. We know there have been times when access to various locations has been restricted, and we appreciate everyone who has worked with us while construction has taken place," Cr Webb said.
The Skywalk is expected to provide a lasting boost to Tamworth's visitor economy, adding a distinctive outdoor experience to the region's tourism offering and giving visitors another reason to explore the area and stay longer.
While access to the Skywalk is free, visitors can experience other attractions, enjoy local hospitality, shop in the region and stay overnight, supporting businesses across the broader Tamworth region.
"For our community, it provides a new place to connect with nature and with each other. For visitors, it adds another distinctive experience to our tourism offering," Cr Webb said.
"When visitors stay a little longer, enjoy a meal or coffee, shop locally or explore another attraction, that activity helps support local businesses and contributes to the strength of our regional economy."
The Tamworth Skywalk is now open for the community and visitors to experience.
