Waite Creek Footpath Network & Bollards

Consultation results and next steps

We thank the community for having their say on proposed footpath connections and bollards within Waite Creek Park surrounds.

The Waite Creek surrounds footpath network has several gaps that have emerged between development sites and historic footpaths, that Council is seeking to complete over the next 5 - 10 years. In order to inform priorities for investment, we sought community feedback on which footpath areas should be completed first.

Bollards are proposed at key park boundaries to protect parkland from damage caused by vehicles. Bollards are utilised throughout parkland in the Region to balance vehicle movement, park amenity and recreational use.

Please view our consultation summary or detailed consultation report. Key feedback included:

• Submitters are generally supportive of efforts to limit vehicle movement into Waite Creek Park, to improve safety and reduce damage to parkland.
• Opposition to bollards was primarily from adjoining residents who value rear of lot access for property maintenance or vehicle/boat storage.
• Specific requests for lawful access defined by existing easements are considered in design.
• Pathway connections that are highest priority to be considered in future capital budgets connect Waite Ck pathway to Shute Harbour Road / Reef Gateway and from the Reef Gateway to Hidden Ct, forming a circuit.
• Some alternatives requested include providing adjoining residents with a bollards access key, or utilising native trees instead of bollards.
• Maintenance or raising of the footpath adjoining the southern edge of Cannonvale Lakes Park was highlighted as a priority due to it being slip hazard from drainage overflows.

Given general support for bollards by submitters, Council intends to proceed with the project. We are refining the proposed bollard design and will notify stakeholders of intended construction timing. Once construction timing is known, adjoining residents will receive a letter identifying the circumstances and process where Council may provide temporary access.