The funding is ready to flow on a new shared pedestrian and cycle pathway connecting the suburbs of Mannering Park, Kingfisher Shores and Chain Valley Bay as the Federal Government makes good on its $7M election commitment.
With a funding agreement now in place, the project will see a 2.9km shared pathway along the foreshore from Griffith St in Mannering Park, crossing the inlet channel to Kingfisher Shores and connecting to the existing park.
This will fill the critical missing link in connecting the three suburbs.
Creating a designated path for pedestrians and cyclists will lead to a safer and more comfortable environment, reducing the risk of crashes.
It will also allow residents to better access the nearby amenities on foot or bike, while reducing the community’s environmental footprint.
The pathway is set to generate significant employment opportunities for the area, creating 30 direct jobs during construction.
It will also stimulate further employment in the community by increasing demand for services associated with tourism and active transport.
The $12.7M project is expected to be completed in 2027 and is being funded under the Australian Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program, with Central Coast Council contributing the remaining $5.7M.
Representatives of the Federal Government and Council met with residents on site on July 30 to announce the funding confirmation.
Mannering Park Precinct Committee Chairman Andrew Whitbourne said the project had triumphed over “a lot of roadblocks … over many, many years”.
“This is going to be a great outcome for the communities of Mannering Park, Kingfisher Shores and Chain Valley Bay,” he said.
“It will allow us to continue from the William and Clarence Wynn Walkway that exists now, around the foreshore, over to Chain Valley Bay.”
Mannering Park Progress spokesperson Marie Brown said it was a “joyous” announcement after a 15-year fight.
“It is going to make a difference to people’s lives, not just in Mannering Park but the whole community surrounding us,” she said.
“I think … it shows … that persistence actually does pay off.”
Chain Valley Bay Progress Association Chairperson Phil Kenny said the pathway would allow two communities to link up.
“It’s also good for people with wheelchairs … and … the young mums with prams,” he said.
All three organisations thanked Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy for his constant representations regarding the project.
Conroy said the path would help connect residents to friends, family, local shops, services and the park by giving them a dedicated path on which to safely walk, run, and cycle.
“The funding agreement is a critical step forward,” he said.
“This project will make a real difference for our community for years to come, unlocking employment, safety and other benefits as the new pathway comes to life.”
Central Coast Council Director Infrastructure Services Boris Bolgoff said further community consultation would be carried out as the project moved through the design phase.
“This long-awaited project is identified in Council’s Central Coast Bike Plan, and it is extremely pleasing to now have the $7M funding from the Australian Government to add to Council’s $5.7M contribution, which will now deliver the project for the community.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the new pathway was a win for the community, improving connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors.
I love the fact that the path is being extended but it would have been nice to have a pathway on the western side. Very muddy to try to walk there after wet weather