About The Project 

The council has started construction of the 1.6km of a 3m-wide shared pathway from Awabakal Avenue at Blacksmiths to Hilda Street at Belmont South. This crucial connection from the end of the current Fernleigh Track will create the longest active transport route in the Hunter Region. 

Overall, this construction project has been divided into two sections: a southern section, from Awabakal Avenue at Blacksmiths to Hilda Street at Belmont South, and a northern section from the end of the Fernleigh Track at Belmont to Hilda Street.

Work for this project involves: 

• laying the concrete shared pathway surface
• installing a safety barrier separating shared pathway users and highway traffic
• upgrading three bus stops along its length.

Funding The Shared Path 

The Lake Macquarie Council was awarded $7.4 million by the NSW Government through the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund. The remaining amount of the $12 million project will be contributed by the local council.  

“This addition to the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track will further promote active transport as a way to travel to work, amenities and education hubs safely. Thousands of people already use the track yearly and it will be great to see these numbers grow,” said Bicycle NSW Communications Manager, Kim Lavender. 

The local council is tracking the usage of the path so we encourage everyone to use the path as much as they can to inspire more across the state.