A revamped walkway traversing precious coastal ecosystems and spectacular views of Redhead Beach has been unveiled by Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser today.
The northern section of the Ken and Audrey Owens Walkway, which starts at Webb Park just south of Redhead Beach, has been closed for the past eight months to allow for a complete reconstruction of 500m of pathway, with a new raised deck installed along its entire length.
Mayor Kay Fraser said the refurbished walkway was ideal for exercising, walking dogs on leads or bird-watching.
“I’m so glad this wonderful walkway is once again open to the community,” Cr Fraser said.
“It’s a magical feeling walking beneath the low canopy of trees as you leave Webb Park and head down towards the beach … with the birds and the waves just about all you can hear.”
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Assets Brendan Callander said the path travelled through threatened ecological communities including freshwater wetlands and swamp forest.
“A range of threatened native species has been recorded nearby, including the powerful owl and the large bent-winged bat, so this really is a special place to preserve and appreciate,” he said.
The walkway travels through other important vegetation communities, including coastal tea-tree, coastal sand apple and blackbutt forest, freshwater sedge-land and beach spinifex.
Black-browed albatross, grey-headed flying foxes and wandering albatross are among the other threatened species to frequent the area.
“The old walkway was at the end of its life cycle, and this new structure makes the path more accessible and more enjoyable, and makes it easier to take in the flora, fauna and views,” Callander said.
Despite the walkway being unveiled today, Lake Macquarie City said that not all work is complete, with seating due to be installed at regular intervals in the section by the end of the month.
Information source: Lake Macquarie City