Seeking feedback on next stage for the Grand Pacific Walk

As part of Council’s ongoing focus to improve accessibility across the city, we’re seeking community feedback on some shared path improvements along Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Austinmer.

This project is part of the broader Grand Pacific Walk, an ambitious project that once completed will see a near 70km coastal pathway established between the Royal National Park in the north and Lake Illawarra in the south.

As the proposed works are spread out along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, we’ve broken the project down into sections:

• Section 1 – a new shared path from Mountain Road, past Slade Park, down the hill to the driveway entrance of Austinmer Surf Club on the eastern side of the road. The existing No Stopping signs on the corner of Ocean Parade and Moore Lane will be relocated to outside the Austinmer Surf Club. This will result in the loss of nine parking spaces. Two new parking spaces will be installed between Kennedy Road and Oceana Parade.
• Section 2 – a new viewing area with bench seating at Slade Park, along with a new footpath that will run parallel to 153 Lawrence Hargrave Drive and meet up with the existing walkway.
• Section 3 – upgrades at the traffic lights at the exit of Knox Park near The Grove. Here Council will install wider kerb ramps to accommodate the new shared path. The fence at Knox Park will also be relocated to allow for the shared path.
• Section 4 – a new shared path along Lawrence Hargrave Drive to the entrance of Little Austinmer Lane. A new concrete traffic barrier will replace the existing guardrail along the bend near Toxteth Avenue for safety.
• Section 5 – the beach access stairs near Toxteth Avenue will remain but will be modified to suit the new shared path. A new table setting will be installed on the headland.
• Section 6 – the culvert (stormwater channel) fences opposite Glastonbury Garden will be replaced and upgraded with new compliant cycle and pedestrian barrier fencing. Pedestrian beach access will be maintained.
• Section 7 – Little Austinmer Lane will become a 10km/hr shared zone for vehicles and pedestrians. Speed cushions will be spaced along the lane to manage traffic speed. Over in Tuckerman Park, Council will install seats.
• Section 8 – the shared path will continue along the western side of Yuruga Street. This will include new driveways, kerbs, gutters and kerb ramps to connect to Headland Avenue. The shared path will then connect with Lawrence Hargrave Drive on the northern side of the Headland Avenue. Here, three footpaths will stem from the shared pathway for a section of Headland Avenue to provide access to Pinecourt Park and the tennis courts.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said the completed sections between Coalcliff and Stanwell Park were already well-used by residents and visitors who love walking or riding along the coastline.

“The Illawarra is known for its incredible coastal views. The Grand Pacific Walk project will make it safer and easier for people of all abilities to walk and ride along the coastline and get to the places they need to go,” Cr Bradbery said.

“This next part of the project will see the installation of a new 2.5m wide shared path, kerb and guttering, driveways, and traffic calming measures along a section of coastline in Austinmer. It also will see the construction of a new viewing platform with bench seating at Slade Park.”

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the NSW Government was proud to be investing $1.5 million through its Get NSW Active program to fund the shared path upgrade.

"We’re committed to providing options for more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday commute, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle while also helping to relieve congestion on our roads,” Minister Haylen said.

“This new shared pathway at Austinmer will help make walking or riding a more viable, safe, and efficient option for locals to move around their community and I encourage everyone to share their feedback with City of Wollongong.

“Get NSW Active grants currently available, with $60 million now available for NSW local councils to deliver active transport links, just like Wollongong’s shared path at Austinmer.”

The big focus of this project is improving safety. Council plans to upgrade the existing traffic lights at the exit of Knox Park with a shared path crossing, as well as new kerb ramps. Four speed cushions are proposed for Little Austinmer Lane as well as a change to the speed limit to a 10km/hr shared zone for vehicles and pedestrians.

There are a significant number of design elements to this project and community members are encouraged to read the online FAQs and review the proposed plan.

“One of the challenges we face with constructing the Grand Pacific Walk is working within such a constrained environment. At many points along the path, we’re working on the cliff edge and there is not a whole lot of space,” Cr Bradbery said.

“As part of this proposed plan we need to manoeuvre around existing structures such as power poles and trees. The path may need to widen in some areas to accommodate this.

“We will also need to relocate the existing No Stopping signs on the corner of Ocean Parade and Moore Lane, to outside the Austinmer Surf Club. This will result in the loss of nine parking spaces, however we’re able to install two new parking spaces between Kennedy Road and Oceana Parade.”

Visit the Our Wollongong website to view the draft plans and share your thoughts.

You can also share feedback or ask questions by emailing Council, calling our Customer Service team on (02) 4227 7111, or writing to The Engagement Team at Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500.