Penrith’s popular Great River Walk bridge-to-bridge loop is now a safer, more connected experience with the new pedestrian pathway on Nepean Avenue now complete.
The pathway, which includes bollards and in-ground lighting, significantly improves the safety of thousands of pedestrians who complete the Great River Walk every week and provides the long-awaited addition to the popular walk.
Mayor, Todd Carney was joined by Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM, on site (pictured) to celebrate the completion of the project.
“Each year we see more and more people visiting our beautiful Nepean River and completing this popular loop walk, and for so long they have been forced to walk on the road during this stretch of the walk which was not ideal,” Mayor Carney said.
“This project has been a priority for Council and our community since the development of the Our River Master Plan and the award-winning Penrith Green Grid Strategy.
“It’s fantastic to see our shared vision for a walkable, connected and safe Nepean River precinct realised.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said the NSW Government invested $1.25 million towards the project through the Metropolitan Greenspace Program.
“Penrith’s Great River Walk is one of Western Sydney’s most iconic and picturesque destinations with beautiful views of the Nepean River and the Blue Mountains,” Mr Scully said.
“Funding for this project makes this popular community walkway a safer experience for walkers and cyclists. It also improves connectivity to nearby Tench Reserve and the Yandhai Nepean Crossing.”
Ms McKeown said the much-anticipated pathway provides better traffic flow and improves the experience of Great River Walk users.
“The Great River Walk is one of Sydney’s most scenic walks and this new pathway makes it even better,” she said.
“The local community wants the Nepean River precinct to be a world-class destination for nature and recreation. A safer and more connected Great River Walk is part of that vision.”
The project also included new traffic calming paver bands to create a safer, calmer traffic environment which supports and encourages cyclists on the road, as well as the planting of new trees to enhance amenity, provide shade and help cool the city.
This project was proudly funded by Council and the NSW Government. Council secured a $1.25 million grant under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program, and this contribution was matched by Council with additional funds allocated from Council’s District Open Space Contributions Plan and General Revenue.
