Council, police and community group launch Fernleigh Track safety taskforce

11 August 2025

Taking back our paths organiser Stacey Wilde speaking to other attendees during the roundtable.

newy.com.au – A cross agency working group will be established to address antisocial behaviour and other safety concerns on the Fernleigh Track, following after a roundtable of key stakeholders on Monday, 11 August 2025, convened by Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz at Glendale.

Mayor Shultz said the group’s first priority was improving safety for the track’s estimated 400,000 annual users. “Today was an important step towards making the Fernleigh Track safer for everyone,” he said. “Bringing key stakeholders together, police, councils, track users and the Minister for Police, helps us all get a better understanding of the issues and ensures we’re on the same page moving forward.” He added, “We’re all equally concerned about the rising number of assaults, use of illegal motorbikes and other unsafe behaviour being reported along the track,” and, “Everyone in today’s meeting has a shared interest in taking all practical steps to maintain the Fernleigh Track as a place where people go to safely exercise, socialise and get closer to nature.”

Attendees included Minister for Police and Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley MP who is also the Member for Swansea, representatives from the office of the Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison MP, senior NSW Police representatives and Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge.

Ms Catley described the roundtable as a “valuable opportunity to engage directly with the community, understand their concerns and explore practical solutions for the issues on the Fernleigh Track”. She said, “We recognise the impact these incidents have had on the community and remain committed to working closely with the councils to address these issues,” and added, “I also want to acknowledge the dedication of our police officers, who continue to work tirelessly to investigate and disrupt those responsible.”

Ms Harrison said the joint committee would “play a key role in improving safety measures on the Fernleigh Track”. “The track is a fantastic community asset that everyone should be able to safely enjoy,” she said.

NSW Police Lake Macquarie Local Area Commander Superintendent Tracy Chapman said police had received reports of 26 incidents along the track so far this year, with one third related to the use of electric bikes and scooters. She said the “overwhelming majority” of reported incidents occurred from 3–6pm, with males aged over 40 the most common victims, while children aged 10–14 also comprised a significant proportion. “Illegal and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated by police, and those doing the wrong thing on the Fernleigh Track can expect to be investigated,” Superintendent Chapman said. “Lake Macquarie Police will continue to conduct proactive policing activities in the area and investigate reported offences. People who are subjected to offences need to report these to police. Anyone who sees suspicious, anti-social or illegal behaviour is urged to come forward.”

Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said the Fernleigh Track was loved by communities in both LGAs “and we need to ensure it’s safe for all”. “This requires our two Councils and other agencies to work together, and we have made good progress today,” he said. “City of Newcastle is committed to collaborating and will continue to play its part.”

Taking Back Our Paths organiser Stacey Wilde welcomed the pace of action. “One of the main positives for me is the speed at which this is all happening,” she said. “I feel really proud and really positive that some tangible change will come of this.” She added, “I think the community need a mouth and earpiece, they don’t want this to go behind closed doors.”

The working group will assess options including installing CCTV cameras, improving lighting, widening selected sections to create safer overtaking opportunities and upgrading signage.

The Fernleigh Track is 15.3km long between Adamstown and Belmont, with 2.2km in the City of Newcastle and 13.1km in Lake Macquarie. The corridor was used from the 1890s until 1991 for coal and passenger trains, was jointly purchased by both councils in 1994 and delivered as a shared pathway in stages between 2003 and 2011. The adjoining Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, opened in late 2024, now provides a continuous route from Blacksmiths and Murrays Beach through Belmont to Adamstown.