Pittwater Life June 2017 Issue

News
Safe walk to the park ‘by Christmas’
Palm Beach locals who have fought for
40 years to improve pedestrian safety
between the ferry wharf and Governor
Phillip Park are delighted the new walkway
championed by Northern Beaches Council
is expected to be up and running by the
Christmas holiday period when the
area experiences its greatest tourism
rush – and peak danger period.
Tenders for the project – the first
piece of infrastructure for the iconic
coastal walkway that will link Palm
Beach with Manly – closed on May 30,
with Council officers now poring over
submissions with a view to announcing
the successful party by the end
of June.
“The only existing pedestrian
route between Palm Beach Wharf and
Governor Phillip Park is via Barrenjoey
Road… pedestrian access is difficult
with no continuous designated
footpath, which forces pedestrians
out onto the road, at some points,” said
Council Administrator Dick Persson.
He said there had been extensive consultation
with the community, including
residents on the road whose properties
border the walkway.
That included consultation over concept
designs and construction materials
(largely the material the boardwalk would
be made from).
Importantly, the proposed design maintains
access to residential properties.
One of the residents whose property
borders the project, Warwick Sargeant, said
a safe, level pathway had been needed for
ARTIST'S IMPRESSION: The new Barrenjoey Rd walkway.
visitors and locals alike for decades.
“We are and have always been concerned
about safety issues for pedestrians along
the narrow and uneven verge along Barrenjoey
Rd where the proposed walkway is
going,” Mr Sargeant said.
“It is a larger and more grandiose
structure than I envisaged initially but the
Council officer Michelle and the council
engineer have met with us several times
and been friendly and largely accommodating
with any concerns we may have had.
“Our little pocket of Palmy is so beautiful
and so special that we are delighted
that we can share it safely with everyone,
locals and tourists alike.”
Council funded the project under
the $32.6 million Connecting Northern
Beaches program, utilising funds
from the Stronger Communities Fund
made available by the State Government
through the merger process.
Council developed concept designs
with the help of a community-based
working group. Mr Persson confirmed
Council’s aim was to have the walkway
built before the 2017 Christmas
holidays.
Palm Beach Whale Beach Association
President Dr Richard West said
the community was delighted that
the walkway was progressing.
“We have had concerns regarding
pedestrian safety for over 40 years along
this section of Barrenjoey Road and look
forward to a dedicated walkway to improve
pedestrian safety between the ferry wharf
and Governor Phillip Park.”
Info yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
16 JUNE 2017
Celebrating 25 Years