New Shared Paths Pave the Way for Safer, Greener Travel in Lake Mac

New off-road shared paths are now making it safer and simpler for people to walk or cycle in parts of Lake Macquarie, cutting down the need to drive.

A 230m path has been finished in Cameron Park, connecting Pasterfield Sports Complex to the suburb’s older residential areas in the east. Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the new link makes it easier for families to reach the sports complex by foot or bike.

“This path joins up with other shared paths, which lead into eastern Cameron Park and around Pasterfield,” Mayor Fraser said. “These small projects bring big benefits by promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing car usage.”

In Cardiff, an 820m shared path has also been completed, filling a gap by running alongside Winding Creek from Wilkinson Park to Newcastle Street. Plans are underway to add another section between Newcastle Street and Henry Street to avoid a short on-road detour.

“Cardiff is a key growth area, and we’ll need more of these off-road routes as the NSW Government plans to increase housing density around our train stations,” Mayor Fraser said.

Both projects were funded by local developers.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Asset Management Karen Partington said 103km of the city’s 254km Principal Bicycle Network has now been built, with plans to extend it further. Upcoming projects include cycleways linking Charlestown to Whitebridge, Cooranbong to Morisset, and Cameron Park to Edgeworth.

The recent opening of the 3.5km Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, connecting the Fernleigh Track at Belmont to Awabakal Avenue at Blacksmiths, adds to the growing network.

This website contains an online map and downloadable map of Lake Macquarie cycleways:

https://www.lakemac.com.au/For-residents/Recreation/Walking-and-cycling