Plans for the Terrigal Lagoon walking trail will see bush tracks replaced with a concrete path of 730 metres and a raised boardwalk above the mangroves of about 430 metres.
Central Coast Council has received funding to develop the first stage of the walking trail around the lagoon, within parts of Terrigal Wetland Reserve and Rotary Park, next to Parklife Café and the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre (CCMDC).
Council and Restart NSW will each pay half of the $1M needed for the first stage of the proposal.
The completed total length of the walking track will be 1.16km.
Once operational, the walking track will feature the new elevated boardwalk within Stages 1 and 2; and the new concrete path within Stages 1, 3 and 5.
Included is a water watch platform west of the CCMDC to promote water based educational experiences.
The elevated boardwalk will allow users to meander through coastal wetlands and mangrove vegetation and the concrete walking track will facilitate movement through forested areas and green, open space.
Removal of up to 0.35ha of vegetation to accommodate the walking track is planned.
“This trail will provide multiple social, health and wellbeing benefits, as well as educational, nature-based tourism and job opportunities,” Council said.
The existing walking track is generally not considered a universally accessible track.
“An upgrade of the existing track and extension would enhance user experience by providing an upgraded, longer track which would ultimately offer a closed circuit with improved accessibility for all users,” Council said.
“It would also allow for formed connections to the CCMDC and the Terrigal Rotary Park on the western side of Willoughby Rd that are frequented by families with children where no formal pedestrian access is provided to these facilities.
“Beyond the anticipated benefits for the existing walking track users, the proposal is expected to be a drawcard to the already popular coastal town of Terrigal which features a strip of cafés and restaurants, concreted walking tracks, Terrigal Beach and scenic lookouts about 1km south-east of the proposal.”
Council said that given that the trail is to be partially located within a coastal wetland, it was working hard to ensure that the trail will weave through disturbed areas wherever possible to avoid the need to clear bushland, including trees.
It has twice asked the community what features it wanted to see included.
“We took your feedback and turned it into an idea for the trail, keeping in mind ways to minimise the environmental impacts on this sensitive environment,” Council said.
Back in 2017, the Marine Discovery Centre approached Council to seek support and funding for a walking trail, boardwalk and Waterwatch platform at the lagoon.
The development application is now open for submissions from the public and has already attracted one submission.
“I would only support the proposal if the actual lagoon was rehabilitated,” the public submission says.
“Sections are currently unappealing, overgrown with weeds.
“Keep it simple and beautiful.
“Please do not over engineer it like the horrible Terrigal cove boardwalk.”
Earlier this year, the Terrigal boardwalk to the Haven was officially opened by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The public submission said the path section along Florida Rd looked too complex.
“A simple walking strip along the street would be best, but please do something about all the introduced weeds and buffalo grass that has taken over the section,” the submission said.
Submissions can be made on the proposal until September 6.
See details: https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/terrigal-lagoon-trail
Merilyn Vale