Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST)

Selection of northern section route was the result of more than 18 months of community consultation, environmental investigations, collaboration with local Aboriginal stakeholders and negotiation with land-owners.

It will include a landmark viewing platform and 400m of wetland boardwalk, separate footpath loops for bird-watching, a spectacular new bridge over Cold Tea Creek and shared pathway from the end of the existing Fernleigh Track to the start of the southern section at Belmont South.

View and download the route map and detailed sections of the route via the "Related Information" menu at the bottom of this page.

You can view a recording of a community information session outlining the northern route, and the rationale behind it, by clicking here.

We have sought expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and artist groups to create a series of public artworks along the FAST route.

The shared pathway will take in culturally and historically significant parts of Belmont, including Belmont Lagoon, and a series of public artworks along the route will express connection to Country and the area’s cultural significance.

Nine separate artwork commissions were available through an EOI process, which closed Wednesday 18 August.

EOIs from local schools were also sought for a separate school art project, to be undertaken in Term 4, 2021, subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

Extensive community consultation took place throughout the project’s detailed design stage. Drop-in information sessions were held in Belmont in March, 2020, with feedback collected from attendees.

The community was also invited to share its thoughts during an initial consultation period via the project's online forum.

Another round of consultation took place in November, 2020, to gauge community priorities relating to the FAST project. This included a community information session held online, and an online survey asking people to provide feedback about aspects of the project they considered most important.

Surveyors pegged out potential sections of the route in early 2020 to provide a more precise insight into property boundaries and design challenges.

Geotechnical investigations along key locations took place in February, 2020. This involved machinery mounted on a ute or trailer taking borehole soil samples up to one metre in depth. The samples provided an insight into ground structure and stability, with results assisting the track's design and construction.

An Environmental Impact Statement and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report provided further insights to help Council determine the most suitable route.

The project has the backing of local MPs, the RMS, NRMA, Hunter Business Chamber, City of Newcastle, Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council, The Heart Foundation, Newcastle Cycleways Movement, and various other peak sporting, business and tourism groups.

The project may require return of relatively small parcels of public land along the track route, historically used by private property owners for their own purposes. Council will liaise with affected property owners throughout the process to ensure they are aware of the situation, their rights and Council's rights.