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The last year has seen major progress in funding and building the next stages of Fernleigh track. The track will eventually run 16km from Adamstown to Belmont along a disused rail corridor, now co-owned by Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Councils. The track is part of The NSW Coastline Cycleway Project. It is Newcastle Cycleways Movement’s key off road priority at present. Construction of the 4km third Stage of the Fernleigh Track from Whitebridge to Redhead is now well under way. Rails have been removed, major drainage work is under way and a good deal of heritage restoration work, especially at the old Redhead station has been completed. The Stage is due to be completed around October 2009. This stage will bring the total completed length of cycleway to 9km. The cycleway is bitumen paved with extensive safety fencing and has been built to Ausroad design standards. The gradients are gentle and the track passes through some beautiful coastal bush land. The work, valued at around $2.7m was ultimately made possible with Federal Government funding added to the commitments from the State Government and from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Councils. Construction began back in 2000 but there may be acceleration in construction if a major funding application succeeds. Lake Macquarie Council and Newcastle Councils have jointly applied for over $2m funding under the Federal Governments’ recently announced Jobs Fund. The aim is to gain sufficient funding to complete the track through to Belmont. There is only $40m Australia wide for this particular fund, so this is an ambitious application by Councils. Newcastle Cycleways Movement provided letters of support directly to Council and also to Federal member Jill Hall, who supported the Federal Grant for Stage 3. Local State members have also given their written support. Councils have pledged local funding towards the construction. So after over four years since Stage 2 was completed it is good to see more progress along the track.
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Cleared track and future rest stop near Whitebridge
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