The City of Newcastle is set to improve pedestrian and cycling access along a popular beachside precinct with significant infrastructure upgrades. The projects, located near Bar Beach and King Edward Park, will introduce new shared path connections and enhanced crossing facilities to increase safety for all users. Each project has received $500,000 in funding through the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active program.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp highlighted the broader benefits of active transport, noting its positive impacts on physical and mental health, environmental wellbeing, and community health. He emphasized that the upgrades aim to enhance safety along some of the city’s most iconic walking tracks, encouraging residents to choose walking and cycling over car travel.
Executive Manager of Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter explained that the improvements align with the City of Newcastle’s ongoing commitment to active travel. The projects focus on key access points, including Memorial Drive and Reserve Road, connecting King Edward Park, Empire Park, Cooks Hill Surf Club, and the beach. Enhanced pathways, safe crossings, and traffic-calming measures will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for pedestrians and cyclists.
Work has already begun on the Bar Beach upgrade, which includes safety improvements to the pedestrian refuge on Bar Beach Avenue and a new shared path connection. A new raised shared path crossing from Empire Park across Memorial Drive to Bathers Way will replace the existing zebra crossing and refuge island, complemented by landscaped kerb extensions and a narrow median to improve traffic flow and safety.
Additionally, the city will construct a 320-metre-long shared pathway on Reserve Road between York Drive and The Terrace, with work expected to start in September. Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, Chair of the Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee, noted that both projects support the Newcastle Cycling Plan 2021-2030, prioritizing connected cycleways and pedestrian facilities to make walking and cycling safer and more convenient.
The upgrades, including a new three-metre-wide path adjacent to King Edward Park, will strengthen the cycling network and provide improved transport options for all users. Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2026, reinforcing Newcastle’s commitment to creating a safer, more active, and accessible community.
