Coast Walk consultation

Project update

The Northern Beaches Coast Walk stretches 36kms from Manly to Palm Beach.

We have consulted on various sections of the coastal walk and cycleway between Newport and Avalon since 2018.

The most recent consultation in 2020 was broken into three sections, and you can view the stakeholder and community engagement history outlined below.

Next steps

As our investigations into the works have continued and adjustments made based on feedback, the funds available for the Coast Walk project are no longer sufficient to deliver the remaining sections.

We have now prioritised works, based on funding availability and safety, as follows:

  1. Shared path from Newport Beach to The Serpentine
  2. Bilgola Foreshore Link – improved pedestrian connection from Bilgola carpark to Allen Avenue
  3. Pedestrian safety upgrade at the top of Allen Avenue stairs – improved pedestrian connection on The Serpentine

A tender for these priority sections will be released in early 2024, with a report on the outcome and engagement activities since 2018 presented at a Council meeting in mid-2024. We will then seek community feedback on the detailed design in mid 2024.

Additional funding opportunities will be sought in order to complete the wider program of works in future years.

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Map of prioritised works

Aerial map with markings of where upgrades will take place.

Engagement history 2020

The community feedback collected during public consultation of Section 1 between 23 October and 6 December 2020 revealed a general level of support for the proposed shared path, with comments citing the anticipated benefits of improved access and safety.

There were some clear and consistent themes evident from respondents regarding the use of proposed materials. In particular, the proposed use of concrete barriers and the negative impacts this could have on the environment, aesthetics of the area and driver experience.

We received a strong level of support to improve the draft design with opportunities to integrate the new path with the surrounding environment specifically highlighted. The detailed design will be adjusted based on this community feedback.

View further consultation history here

View community engagement report

We engaged the community between 23 October and 22 November 2020 on Section 2 of the coastal walk and trialed a walking and cycling-friendly link for 12 months. Over half the respondents were not supportive of the shared space project, citing the reduced speed limit of 10km would not reduce safety impacts and most felt they would be heavily inconvenienced by additional travel times.

Those respondents who supported the shared zone with changes, indicated that 10km was too slow for vehicles, and suggested raising the speed limit to 20km or 30km.

Respondents who were in favour of the shared zone also indicated that the 10km limit is too slow but they overall supported the proposal. They also noted that the changes would improve pedestrian safety, promote active travel and encourage more, and safer cycling.

View further consultation history here

View community engagement report

Community feedback received as part of Section 3 between 3 October and 6 December 2020 indicated concerns that the proposed shared path would increase risk to pedestrian safety based on a mixture of gradient, typography and potential impacts to driveway access. Questions were received regarding how many people would utilise the proposed path given the gradients were perceived to be inaccessible.

Although there was not a high level of direct support for the exhibited shared path design, most respondents did feel that pedestrian access and safety should be improved through this section, however indicated that this could be achieved through pedestrian footpaths only. Safety improvements have been incorporated into the detailed design for this section of work based on this community feedback.

Local resident groups also identified ongoing safety concerns with the Avalon Headland carpark and requested that this aspect of the original proposal be reconsidered in the hopes to address vehicle and pedestrian safety at the Headland, while still maintaining the coastal viewpoints. We are no longer proceeding with formalisation of the South Avalon Headland Carpark or the concrete path along the eastern edge of the carpark.

View further consultation history here

View community engagement report