Preferred route selected for Charlestown-Whitebridge shared path

Published on 21 July 2022

Detailed investigations are poised to begin into a major shared pathway linking Charlestown’s CBD with the Fernleigh Track.

Community consultation earlier this year helped Lake Macquarie City Council settle on a preferred route for the path, which will begin at the corner of Frederick Street and the Pacific Highway before turning down Milson Street, behind Charlestown Swim Centre.

From there, the route will run through vacant land between Milson Street and Kaleen Street, then continue along Kaleen Street before following an existing track through bushland to Flora Close next to Whitebridge High School.

A final stretch along Lonus Avenue and down an existing path on Kopa Street will connect to the Fernleigh Track at Whitebridge.

Transport Operations Lead Robert Morris said more than 50 per cent of respondents preferred the route to various others tabled during community consultation.

“A few key themes emerged from the feedback we received, including that this route was quieter, with less traffic, more shade and better scenery,” he said.

“It was therefore judged as safer, as well as more direct.”

The route also provides to-the-door active transport options for students at Whitebridge High and Charlestown Public School, while travelling less than 150m from Charlestown East Public School and 100m from Charlestown Swim Centre.

Mr Morris said the preferred route attracted almost three times as many votes as the next most popular alternative, which veered further south and navigated part of Dudley Road before joining Lonus Avenue.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said Council was committed to rolling out shared pathways and other active transport options across the city.

“The more of these paths we can build, the better options we will have to get people out of their cars and onto bikes and other forms of transport,” she said.

“That’s great for congestion, it’s great for the environment, it’s a much healthier alternative, and, particularly these days, it’s much kinder to the hip pocket.”

Detailed planning on the preferred route is expected to be completed by July next year.

Mr Morris said the project team would also consider improving safety along the alternative southern route as part of its investigations.

“Design and construction will be subject to funding, which is weighed up each year against other shared pathway projects across the city,” he said.

“We’ll keep the community informed as the project progresses.”

Go to shape.lakemac.com.au/cwc for more information.