Penny Redhead has applauded City of Newcastle (CN) for its $350,000 investment into the Throsby Creek riverwall.
Council announced it would repair a 200m-long section of the rock structure at Wickham, ensuring the ongoing stability of the heavily-used shared pathway, which runs adjacent to the western bank of Throsby Creek.
The area’s also home to one of the largest parkruns in Australia, featuring more than 400 runners and walkers every Saturday morning, according to the Newy co-event director
“The Throsby Creek loop is a fantastic resource, with one of the best flat scenic routes Newcastle’s inner-city has to offer,” Ms Redhead said.
“Over the past 10 years, Newcastle has experienced a surge in the running movement.
“This is highlighted by the continued growth in participation not only at Newy parkrun but across the 13 parkruns in the Greater Hunter Region.
“Our focus is getting people of all ages, shapes and abilities together as a community to move continuously, at their pace, for 5km.
“With the riverwall repairs, the shared pathway will be safer and more accessible for everyone including parkrun.
“Even on non-parkrun days, it’s great to see the volume and variety of people enjoying the path, demonstrating real respect and courtesy among all users.”
The enhancement will involve the recovery and reinstallation of the original igneous pink rocks displaced from the wall into the creek waters over time, supplemented by about 210 tonnes of newly-sourced rock, which will be used to repair and stablise the riverwall where it had degraded over time.
The project is also expected to provide formalised pedestrian recreation access to the artificial beach on the southern and northern end of the work area.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the important repairs would ensure the riverwall continued to be an environmental, recreational and visual asset valued by all members of our community.
“Moving across the city with ease is crucial to the liveability of Newcastle,” he explained.
“That’s why City of Newcastle is investing in pedestrian safety, enhanced accessibility and linked movement within local neighbourhoods.
“Repairs to the Throsby Creek riverwall will provide stability to the nearby shared pathway, which has been utilised more than 224,000 times by Newy parkrun participants alongside countless cyclists, walkers and café lovers who live and work in the surrounding Wickham, Maryville and Carrington suburbs.”
The original rock wall was delivered more than 20 years ago by a private developer on behalf of the NSW Government.
The reconstruction will be built to a higher standard, to reduce the likelihood of future councils needing to undertake further restoration.
The project is being delivered as part of CN’s citywide creek rehabilitation program.
Council will invest more than $1.25 million into the initiative during the 2023/24 financial year, with repairs and rehabilitation also planned for the Claremont Reserve creek line at Adamstown, Ironbark Creek and Wilai Creek at Elermore Vale, and Dark Creek at North Lambton.
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