NEW BOARDWALK FOR SYDNEY’S EASTERN BEACHES

One of Sydney’s most loved coastal walks is set to be extended by a one-kilometre boardwalk through the Malabar Headland.

Known as the ‘Western Walking Track’, the new route will stretch from South Maroubra Beach to Malabar Beach, offering stunning ocean views complete with ample seating and viewing areas.

Randwick City Council approved the $2 million project as part of its long-term vision to create a continuous walkway along the coast.

Construction on a walking track through the western part of the newly declared Malabar Headland National Park will commence later this year after Randwick City Council approved the $2M project at its Council meeting on 28 June 2016.

Mayor of Randwick, Noel D’Souza, says the Western Walking Track will extend the popular Coastal Walkway from South Maroubra Beach to Malabar Beach via a 1.15km boardwalk, complete with ample seating and viewing areas.

“Randwick City has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the whole of Australia. The Coastal Walkway is an international attraction but also an important facility for local residents to use, exercise and access our beautiful beaches and ocean pools.

“Council’s long-term vision is to create a continuous walkway along the coast and the Malabar Headland Western Walkway completes a critical missing link between Maroubra and Malabar.

“Importantly, this walkway will also be the first public formal access to the headland in over 100 years.

“We’ve worked with the community and a number of Government stakeholders to refine the proposal to reduce the impact on residents while protecting the sensitive and endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub that exists on the headland. The Western Walking Track will be a great new addition to our Coastal Walkway,” said Mayor D’Souza.

The Council resolved on 28 June 2016 to make a minor change to the proposal by removing the access link from Ford Road following feedback from residents.

Council consulted with local residents earlier in 2016 about the proposed track. About 500 people had their say through online surveys, drop-in sessions and workshops with Council. Of the respondents, 91% said they supported the project and 85% said they would either be likely or very likely to use the walkway. People said they would mostly likely use the new walkway for exercise (80%), followed by recreation (77%), greater beach access (38%), bird watching (29%) and jogging (25%).

Following on from the consultation on the Western Walking Track, the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) has this week released plans for an eastern walking track around Malabar Headland to be known as the Boora Point Track.

The proposed walking track would provide formal public access to the eastern section of Malabar Headland National Park and link with the Western Walking Track giving people the options of coastal walk as well as a walking loop around Malabar Headland.

To have your say on the NPWS engagement program visit https://engage.environment.nsw.gov.au/consult. The consultation is open from Monday 4 July to Friday 29 July 2016.

For further enquiries regarding Randwick City Council’s Capital Works Program, please visit www.randwick.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 722 542.

For more on popular coastal walks in Sydney, go to Visitnsw.com and for the Western Walking Track, visit the Randwick City Council website.