About this project
As part of our Connecting the Northern Beaches initiative and Move Northern Beaches Transport Strategy 2038, we’re making it easier and safer for you to walk and cycle around your neighbourhood.
Thanks to funding from the NSW Government, we’ve been working with the community since 2018 to design better connections between Newport and Avalon. You shared your thoughts, and we listened - after our first consultation in 2020, we refined the designs based on your feedback. While most survey respondents supported our plans, feedback indicated that the proposed shared zone at Bilgola Beach was not well received, prompting us to revisit our approach. Since then, we’ve carefully considered safety, funding, and environmental impacts to get the best outcome for everyone.
On 12 November 2024, Council approved the next step - detailed design and construction of the shared-user path connecting Newport Beach to The Serpentine in Bilgola Beach. A Review of Environmental Factors has been completed to assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts.
We’ll continue to seek funding to deliver even more improvements in the future.
Consultation history
Engagement history 2020
Our most recent community consultation in 2020 covered three distinct sections. For details on past engagement activities, please see the engagement history outlined below.
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-user 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.
We engaged the community between 23 October and 22 November 2020 on Section 2 of the coastal walk and trialled 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 supported the proposal overall. They also noted that the changes would improve pedestrian safety, promote active travel and encourage more, and safer cycling.
Community feedback received as part of Section 3 between 3 October and 6 December 2020 indicated concerns that the proposed shared-user 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-user 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 of addressing 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.
Map
Map of prioritised works
Map of prioritised works
Contact customer service on:
1300 434 434
We
acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Country on which we
gather today. By these words we show our respect to all Aboriginal
people. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging and the spirits
and ancestors of the Clans that lived in this area.
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