Upcoming Work February 2011 Commencement of replacement of retaining wall at North Beach
Commencement of Flagstaff Hill Heritage Trail
The Flagstaff hill heritage trail is anticipated to begin construction in September 2010 and be completed before the end of the year. This segment includes a 3 m wide footpath, balustrade railing, improved lighting and landscaping from Cliff Road to link with Endeavour drive.
A Federal Government injection of $200,000 through the Grant funds from the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program will allow Heritage Trail construction to commence in September 2010. The remainder of funds for this work will be drawn from Council's capital budget.
The type of construction required is similar to recent works along Cliff Road, creating sections of an elevated footpath with a screw-piled foundation. This was needed to improve community accessibility along this popular area.
Opening of East Side of Cliff Road Footpath Stage Two
Blue Mile Continues to Move Forward.
The upgrade of the east side of Cliff Road between Georges place (above the Continental pool) to North Beach is now almost complete. The upgrades include a new wider footpath, high-quality fencing, improved lighting and new stairs accessing Battery Park.
The opening of the new works completes the link between North Beach and Belmore basin providing the community are a safe well lit path with spectacular views of the coastline and the harbour. In particular, the view from the new stairs accessing the southern end Battery Park is simply beautiful.
The improvements will also provide additional viewing locations for community events such as Australia Day in the New Year's Eve fireworks.
This is great news for the city. We have received a lot of positive feedback on the last couple of years work and we are sure these latest improvements will draw even more locals and visitors to the city spectacular foreshores.
These works could not progress without the $2.9 million grant funding through the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. The overall project costs for the upgrades from Belmore basin to North Beach is 3.4 million. An official opening of the works are anticipated in September 2010.
Opening of Cliff Top Walk on Flagstaff Hill
Dramatic rocky headland, green grass, powerful crashing waves, the salt spray filling your nostrils – breathe it in and soak up the views on the new Flagstaff Hill Cliff Walk.
The 230m walking path and viewing deck were officially opened today, Wednesday, 21 July 2010, providing a formal connection to the iconic lighthouse and Flagstaff Hill.
The $650,000 pathway, lawn terraces, seating and viewing deck project was designed and constructed by Wollongong City Council with support from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW).
Wollongong’s Flagstaff Hill Cliff Walk continues the existing walkway and series of viewing platforms already constructed along the Blue Mile as part of the Revitalisation of the City Centre.
The project is an important part of the Blue Mile Masterplan, which details the enhancement of the coastal foreshore of our city. The walk to the viewing deck is a great spot for whale spotting during the whale migrating season.
Council received a grant of $257,000 from the NSW State Governments Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water’s Coastal Management Program towards the Flagstaff Hill Walk. Cliff Road Upgrades Outside Novotel
The busy stretch of road between Bourke Street and Blacket Street has been made safer and more accessible for residents and visitors to this area.
Manager of Infrastructure and Works, Mr Peter Kofod said the work done to Cliff Road was about creating a streetscape that complimented the achievements of the Blue Mile works.
“The first stage of the work on this section of Cliff Road included the creation of an additional 5 parking spaces by re-configuring the parking bays to 90 degree rear to kerb outside the Novotel, a raised threshold (speed hump) to reduce traffic speed and kerb extensions at the intersection of Blacket St and Cliff Road,” explained Mr Kofod.
“This area is very popular with the community and visitors to the city; we needed to provide a safe and attractive environment for people crossing the road walking to the beach or parking their car.”
“We’ve introduced a 10km/hr shared zone (for pedestrians and vehicles) and reduced the width of the road with the kerb extensions at Blacket Street to create a safer pedestrian crossing area” said Mr Kofod.
Council received a $40,000 grant from the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) to part fund the works. Depending on future grants opportunities, Council hopes to make a start on the next stage of Cliff Road works to improve pedestrian safety and provide additional parking between Blacket Street and George Hanley Drive.
“We have also completed the installation of speed cushions along the 700m stretch of Cliff Road from Bourke Street south all the way down to the Harbour. Six speed cushions have been installed to keep traffic speeds in line with the new 40km hr speed limit in this area. This work was able to be done thanks to another funding grant from RTA for $50, 000,” Mr Kofod said.
Commencement of East Side of Cliff Road Footpath Stage Two
Work has started on the second stage of a $3.4 million pathway along Cliff Road, starting north of the new viewing platform above the Continental Pool, and extending to North Wollongong Beach, opposite the Novotel.
When complete in July, the new three metre wide concrete shared pathway will provide a continuous link for pedestrians and cyclists from Belmore Basin to North Beach. The new pathway will wind around
the Cliff Road Norfolk Pines and include new lighting, landscaping, fencing and seating.
Construction of stage two of the project has been scheduled to coincide with the end of school holidays to minimise disruption around the foreshore during the peak holiday period.
The community may experience some disruptions along the Blue Mile over the next six months. Construction fencing means some parking along Cliff Road may be temporarily affected and the bus stop near Georges Place will be relocated to Gun Battery Park.
The East Side of Cliff Road Promenade has been funded by Council and a $2.9 million grant from the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).
Opening of East Side of Cliff Road Footpath - Stage One
Wollongong’s foreshore just got even more spectacular with the completion of a new promenade and viewing platform along Cliff Road.
Federal Member for Cunningham, Sharon Bird joined Wollongong City Council’s General Manager, David Farmer, to officially open stage one of the $3.4 million promenade, just in time for Christmas.
The completed works include a three metre wide concrete shared pathway from Belmore Basin to Georges Place, above the Continental Pool, complete with new lighting and landscaping.
A new deck and balustrade railing has been constructed over the water and seating has been installed to provide locals and tourists with impressive views across Wollongong’s foreshore.
The new promenade has been designed to encourage more people to visit the Blue Mile to walk, cycle or simply take a seat along Cliff Road and enjoy the magnificent views. Residents and visitors to Wollongong
over the festive season would be able to enjoy the features of the promenade to take in the spectacular coastline.
Work will begin on stage two of the promenade after the end of January, extending from Georges Place to North Wollongong Beach.
Timber Viewing Platform on Cliff Road
There’s lots of activity along the Blue Mile at the moment. Construction of the timber viewing platform is almost complete. Next we will install seating and a railing along the deck and new footpath.
Over the coming weeks new lighting will be installed along the three metre wide pathway and we will carry out landscaping works on the eastern stretch of the promenade.
Work along the Blue Mile pathway is progressing on time and we’re scheduled to finish this area before Christmas. The area will be a great addition to the works completed last year.
After the busy summer period, contractors will start work on the final stage of the $3.4 million Eastside of Cliff Road pathway improvements. The second stage will extend from Georges Place to North Beach along the eastern side of Cliff Road.
New Playground at Belmore Basin
Students from St Francis Xavier Primary School were first to test out the new playground which forms part of stage one of the Blue Mile.
Residents and visitors to the city are now able to enjoy $2 million in improvements to Belmore Basin, including a new playground, four metre wide promenade, seated wall, amphitheatre, viewing platform, landscaping and picnic furniture.
Despite recent rain, the project was completed within eight months and we're pleased to see it open to the public in time for the busy summer period as promised. Work on the foreshore coastal protection works at Brighton lawn reserve is progressing well. The installation of the rock mattresses, concrete seawall and beach stairs is complete. These works replaced the failed seawall and will provide improved protection against coastal erosion.
Construction of the concrete promenade and excavation for the children's playground and adjoining amphitheatre has started.
Council is working hard to deliver the improved facilities before the busy summer period.
The photographs show preparation of the promenade sub-grade and pouring of the concrete promenade.
Work on the foreshore coastal protection works at Brighton Lawn Reserve is well underway and progressing on schedule.
The photographs (Blue Mile progress a-c 240708) show how the immediate foreshore has been shaped in preparation for the installation of rock mattresses, construction of the concrete seatwall, and the pedestrian promenade along the length of the foreshore.
The driven timber piles and raked steel screw piles have been installed to provide support for the concrete sea wall.
Work is set to commence on laying the rock mattresses along the foreshore which will replace the failed seawall and provide the new improved protection against coastal erosion. |