VIDEO: $1m upgrade to deliver safer coastal paths at Bar Beach and King Edward Park

25 August 2025

newy.com.au – A $1 million funding boost will deliver new shared paths and safer crossings along Newcastle’s coastline, with upgrades now under way at Bar Beach and planned works at King Edward Park to follow.

The projects are being jointly funded by the NSW Government and City of Newcastle, each receiving $500,000 through the state’s Get NSW Active program, which supports improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure.

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the Minns Labor Government was committed to encouraging more people to walk or cycle. “The benefits of active transport are boundless. It supports personal physical and mental health, environmental health, and the health of our community,” he said. “Both of these projects extend and improve the safety [of] our city’s most iconic walking track, working towards a safer, more active Newcastle.”

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter said the upgrades supported the council’s long-term commitment to active travel. “City of Newcastle is dedicated to delivering projects that support the entire community to be able to enjoy getting where they need to go safely, with good pathway connections, safe crossings and calm streets,” he said.

Work has already started at Bar Beach, where upgrades include safety improvements to the pedestrian refuge on Bar Beach Avenue and a new shared path connection. The project will deliver a raised shared path crossing from Empire Park across Memorial Drive to Bathers Way, replacing the zebra crossing and refuge island. Landscaped kerb extensions and a narrower median will also be introduced to improve safety for all road users.

A second project will begin in September, with a 320-metre shared path to be constructed along Reserve Road between York Drive and The Terrace. The new pathway will provide an off-road cycling link, including a three-metre-wide section adjacent to King Edward Park.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the works aligned with the city’s Cycling Plan 2021–2030. “By prioritising connected cycleways and pedestrian facilities, walking and riding will become a natural and safe choice for our city,” she said. “These upgrades will enhance the cycling network in the area, creating an off-road link for cyclists […] providing a much improved transport option for all users of this area.”

Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2026.