The Magenta Shores community has started a petition calling for a pedestrian crossing on Wilfred Barrett Dr amid growing safety concerns.
Community Association Chair Chris Battye said a safe pedestrian and cyclist crossing was desperately needed to connect to a new shared cycleway under construction, joining Killarney Vale and Toukley.
Magenta Shores is a housing estate, hotel and resort complex about 4km north of The Entrance.
It was initially constructed by Mirvac and released for sale in 2006.
There are now 300 houses, a five-star Accor Pullman hotel and a golf course in the estate.
An extension to the development of 48 houses is soon to commence.
There is also planning approval for a further 200-plus houses on the estate, which will eventually comprise about 550 homes.
“The community is made up of many families with young children, retirees hosting grandchildren and large numbers of hotel guests and tourists, particularly in school holidays,” Battye said.
“Cycling and walking is a common and frequent activity and adds to the amenity of the Central Coast as a tourist attraction.
“Transport NSW is currently constructing a shared cycle/walking pathway joining the existing path from Killarney Vale to the existing path to Toukley – a gap of 3.6km.
“But resident families, hotel guests, tourists, walkers and cyclists have to cross Wilfred Barret Dr from Magenta Shores to access the southerly section of the path towards Killarney Vale.
“This is an 80km/h road with no safe provision for pedestrians and cyclists to cross.
“With the completion of the ‘joining’ section in the reasonably near future and increased social and community emphasis on walking and cycling, a safe crossing will be essential.
“Wilfred Barrett Dr is known for a bad accident history over recent years – doubtless one of the motivations for recent completion by Transport NSW of a major expansion of the cycle lanes on either side of (it).
“As a significant growing residential and tourist area for the Central Coast the need is urgent to action a solution.”
Battye said the Magenta Shores community had been pursuing the matter since March 2019 with little result.
“The matter has now become urgent with the completion of the shared path in the next few months,” he said.
“In March 2019, Transport NSW noted and acknowledged six fatal crashes in the previous five years.
“They advised that the matter was in the Safety Investigation Process but that it would have to compete with other projects for funding.
“On June 21, 2019, Central Coast Council confirmed the matter was one for Transport for NSW but that Council officers had raised the matter of pedestrian safety with them as to how to provide pedestrian facilities across Wilfred Barrett Dr from Magenta Shores.
“Nothing further was heard.
“In June 2023 in response to a letter from local Member for The Entrance David Mehan, Council advised that their officers would again follow-up earlier enquiries with Transport for NSW as to what options might be available.
“Nothing further has been heard.
“On May 21, 2024, David Mehan’s office advised that he was escalating the issue with the NSW Transport Minister.”
Battye said the association had letterboxed petition flyers around North Entrance and Magenta Shores and was planning on doing more.
“The Magenta Pullman hotel has also included the petition in their room compendiums, and in other public areas, together with the Golf Club,” he said.
“To date we have just on 500 signatures and contact details, and the process is ongoing.”
A Central Coast Council spokesperson said Council has reviewed pedestrian improvements as sought by the community and provided feedback to TfNSW for its consideration.
You can sign the petition at www.change.org/p/a-safe-crossing-for-magenta-nsw
there’s lots of money being spent on the great riding & pedestrian trail. spend some money and put a overhead bridge. don’t stop the traffic flow.