Funding bid for Port Macquarie Coastal Walk upgrades

The popular coastal walk covers nine kilometres from Port Macquarie’s CBD past beautiful beaches to Tacking Point Lighthouse.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will submit an application under the state government’s Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund for upgrades to the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council acting director Liesa Davies said if successful, the funding would go towards making the coastal walk safer and more user friendly and thus further improving the ability of this great asset to attract visitors to the region.

“This will in turn support our local tourism industry and economy more broadly,” she said.

The proposed works are identified in the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk Master Plan.

The proposed works include path widening and stabilisation, renovating infrastructure such as handrails and bridges, and incorporating way-finding and interpretation signs along the path to share information with visitors about the natural environment and history.

The provision of seats, water points, bicycle racks and public art along the coastal walk also forms part of the project scope.

The state government funding comes from the lease of the so-called poles and wires.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said the fund aims to increase tourist visitation by supporting regional environment and tourism infrastructure projects to help grow and diversify regional economies across NSW.

“This is great news for our region and I strongly encourage our local organisations to pitch for the funding,” she said.

Up to $100 million is available in the first round of funding.

Mrs Williams said the state government is looking for visionary projects that will transform regional economies.

The $300 million Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund is part of the $20 billion Rebuilding NSW initiative, from which the government has committed $6 billion for regional NSW.

Expressions of interest will be independently assessed and shortlisted by Infrastructure NSW with assistance from other state agencies.