Call to address unfinished pathways and link communities

A NEW NSW Parliament ePetition is calling on the NSW Government to support and advocate for the funding and construction of continuous, safe pedestrian footpaths between Laurieton, Lakewood, Kew and Kendall in partnership with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

The petition has been launched by Camden Haven resident Naomi Louis, who said the idea came after she experienced first-hand the challenges of walking through the area following her move from Nowra.

Having initially lived in Dunbogan before relocating to Kendall, Ms Louis said she quickly noticed the lack of a continuous footpath network linking the communities.

“There are pathways, but they’re scattered,” she said.

“There are sections where you have to walk on narrow road shoulders, particularly between Lakewood and Laurieton. The road surface is uneven and, with so many older people living in our community, it’s simply not safe.”

As Ms Louis began researching the issue, she quickly discovered she was far from the first person to raise it.

“When I started asking whether anything had been done before, I received a huge response from people who have been trying to improve this for years,” she said.

“It became clear this wasn’t just my concern. It’s something the community has wanted addressed for a long time.”

The proposed pathway is not a new idea. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has previously developed plans through its Schools to Schools Shared Pathway project to connect Kendall and Laurieton with a continuous shared path.

However, while planning work has progressed, construction of the remaining sections is still subject to the necessary approvals and funding.

Rather than seeking the NSW Government to construct the pathway itself, the petition asks the NSW Government to support and advocate for funding and work cooperatively with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to deliver continuous, safe pedestrian connections between Laurieton, Lakewood, Kew and Kendall.

The proposal aims to improve accessibility while creating safer conditions for residents walking to shops, schools, services and recreational facilities.

Ms Louis said local Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer had been supportive throughout the process, particularly when technical issues arose while establishing the petition.

“Robert Dwyer has been really good,” she said.

“There was an issue with the ePetition initially and he helped get it sorted so people could start signing.”

The issue of safe pedestrian access in the Camden Haven is not new.

Over many years, residents and local representatives have advocated for improved walking and cycling infrastructure, with previous questions also raised in the NSW Parliament about improving pedestrian and cycling connections within the region.

Under NSW Parliament rules, ePetitions that receive at least 500 signatures require a formal written response from the responsible minister, while petitions attracting 10,000 or more signatures are also debated in the Legislative Assembly.

Ms Louis said the early response from the community had been overwhelmingly positive.

“The support has been fantastic,” she said.

“People genuinely want to see something done. This is about making our community safer and more accessible for everyone, regardless of their age or ability.”

The ePetition is open for signatures through the NSW Parliament website.

By Luke HADFIELD