Footpath upgrade for Melbourne Ave

The NSW Government is set to make vital footpath upgrades on the Peninsula to provide safer journeys for those heading to such destinations as Umina Beach Public School and the Peninsula Recreation Precinct.

Thanks to an $8M government commitment, footpath upgrades on Melbourne Ave, between Brisbane Ave and Hobart St, Umina Beach, are set to begin shortly.

Umina Beach Public School P&C Vice President, Nellie Feeney, said the work was a great outcome for the community.

“This is a great example of community groups such as Umina Beach Public School P&C and Umina Beach Community Group working together,” she said.

Grandparent and community advocate Sally Jope said the improvements had been “a long time coming”.

“Hopefully, this will make school access so much safer,” she said.

“It is not only the school, but the Recreation Precinct, the beach, the Club; these streets get used a lot and it is very unsafe as it is.

“Thanks to the advocacy of Liesl Tesch, who has been on the case from the day she was elected, these footpaths will finally be delivered.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said the upgrade began with a community petition in 2016.

“Our community has been crying out for safe active transport infrastructure to improve the hazardous conditions for children walking and riding to school along Melbourne Ave, alongside the wider community,” she said.

“I would like to thank the tireless advocacy of groups such as Umina Beach Public School P&C and Umina Beach Community Group.

“I am thrilled that … this project was finally able to be prioritised, after too long being ignored by the former Liberal National Government and Central Coast Council.

“This project is a perfect example of the power of our community working alongside government to improve our community for the better.”

Tesch said she was looking forward to seeing further projects in the Gosford electorate activated.

“Our beautiful Peninsula is perfect for walking and cycling, and we know how important footpaths are to our local community, connecting our day-to-day lives,” she said.

“This is a win for everybody in our community.”