Walking and cycling

Council is in the planning and design phase for the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST), a 3.5km shared pathway linking the end of the Fernleigh Track at Belmont with Blacksmiths Beach.

Find out more about FAST

The Richmond Vale Rail Trail is a proposed 32-kilometre cycling and walking track along the former Richmond Vale rail line between Kurri Kurri and Hexham, along the former Chichester to Newcastle water pipeline between Shortland and Tarro, and through the Hunter Wetlands National Park.

The rail will traverse through several local government areas, including Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.

Find out more about the Richmond Vale Rail Trail

We are undertaking an options assessment to determine the feasibility of a shared pathway to fill the ‘missing link’ of this iconic lake foreshore pathway between Eleebana and Valentine.

Find out more about the project

Council will take a staged approach to undertaking a feasibility and planning process for the Charlestown to Dudley shared pathway route.

Stage one

Stage one of the Charlestown to Dudley cycling route involves Council undertaking a feasibility and planning process between Charlestown to Whitebridge, as outlined in the 2021/2022 Operational Plan.

Council officers have identified and assessed potential route options, analysing each route in accordance with planning and design principles outlined in our Walking, Cycling and Better Street Strategy.

This assessment also identified opportunities, constraints and risks for each route option, alongside a high-order cost estimate for each option.

Community consultation

As part of the feasibility study, Council presented two viable route options and three alternate routes for community consultation in March - April 2022.

Please visit Shape Lake Mac for more information about the community consultation undertaken and proposed routes.

Further development of the preferred route, including more detailed planning investigations will be undertaken following the community consultation phase. 

Design and construction will be subject to funding and inclusion in future Council Operational Plans.

Stage two

Stage two will involve investigating cycling connections between Whitebridge and Dudley. These investigations are likely to occur following completion of planning activities for the Charlestown to Whitebridge section.

Council will take a staged approach to undertaking a feasibility and planning process for the Charlestown to Dudley shared pathway route.

Stage one

Stage one of the Charlestown to Dudley cycling route involves Council undertaking a feasibility and planning process between Charlestown to Whitebridge, as outlined in the 2021/2022 Operational Plan.

Council officers have identified and assessed potential route options, analysing each route in accordance with planning and design principles outlined in our Walking, Cycling and Better Street Strategy.

This assessment also identified opportunities, constraints and risks for each route option, alongside a high-order cost estimate for each option.

Community consultation

As part of the feasibility study, Council presented two viable route options and three alternate routes for community consultation in March - April 2022.

Please visit Shape Lake Mac for more information about the community consultation undertaken and proposed routes.

Further development of the preferred route, including more detailed planning investigations will be undertaken following the community consultation phase. 

Design and construction will be subject to funding and inclusion in future Council Operational Plans.

Stage two

Stage two will involve investigating cycling connections between Whitebridge and Dudley. These investigations are likely to occur following completion of planning activities for the Charlestown to Whitebridge section.

Works will begin in June 2022 on a new three-metre shared pathway from Fifth Street, Cardiff to Myall Road, Cardiff. The new pathway will run along the north side of Winding Creek extending the existing pathway from Fifth Street to provide a continuous link between Cardiff and Hillsborough.

The new shared pathway forms part of the Fernleigh Track to Richmond Vale Rail Trail regional cycling route and was identified as a high priority in our Walking, Cycling and Better Streets Strategy. It will increase accessibility and connectivity for active transport users and pedestrians in the area.

The works will involve the construction of 1km of new shared pathway to connect existing pathways along the route and a bridge spanning Tickhole Creek.

The works will be completed in stages, and we will do our best to minimise impacts to neighbouring residents during construction. Council works crew will communicate directly with residents to provide advance notice of any impacts that may arise as a result of works undertaken.

The pathway is funded by development contributions.

We will be undertaking upgrades to various bus stops around the City to meet disability standards. This project is supported by NSW Government grant funding.

We are constructing new footpaths and crossing facilities at: 

• Blackalls Park School to Rhodes Street, Blackalls Park
• James Street and Wakal Street, Charlestown
• Oxford Street, from Plane Street to Goundry Street, Gateshead
• Sydney Street, Goundry Street, Oxford Street and The Crescent Gateshead
• Macquarie Road, between 97 Macquarie Road and Fassifern Road, Fassifern
• Alkrington Avenue, between Bournville Road and Hereford Rise at Fishing Point
• Lowry Street, Cardiff and Bancroft Street, Pandel Avenue, Clarence Street, Graham Street and Glendale Drive, Glendale
• Lachlan Road, Macquarie Road and connecting streets, Cardiff
• Ridley Street and Smith Street, Charlestown

Council also planning and designing:

• New footpath and school children's crossing on James Street, from The Esplanade to Mills Street, Warners Bay
• New pedestrian and traffic facilities for Windale Local Centre
• New footpath from Hillsborough Road Access Road to the pedestrian signals on Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay
• New footpath at Floraville Road, Belmont North
• Shared pathway on John Fisher Road, from Belmont Christian College to Wommara Avenue, Belmont North