One of Lake Macquarie's most spectacular cultural landmarks will finally get the recognition it deserves with the opening of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track.
The four-year construction project reached its much-awaited conclusion on Sunday with the official opening of the 3.5km track, and an accompanying community celebration at Belmont.
Funded jointly by the Australian Government, NSW Government and Lake Macquarie City Council, the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST) fills in a missing gap of shared pathway between Blacksmiths and the existing Fernleigh Track, creating a 27km continuous active transport route from Murrays Beach to Adamstown.
Hundreds of cyclists and other community members converged on Belmont on Sunday for the official ribbon-cutting.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the $20 million track's centrepiece was a 400m stretch of elevated boardwalk over wetlands next to Belmont Lagoon – the focal point of the Aboriginal creation story known as 'When the Moon Cried', and one of the region's best spots for bird-watching.
Up to 120 bird species are believed to frequent the area.
"We are blessed with so many beautiful places here in Lake Mac, but Belmont Lagoon is up there with the best of them," Cr Fraser said.
"Until now, it's been a bit of a hidden gem, but the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track provides a very low impact means of shedding light on this natural and cultural wonder."
"It also contributes to our ongoing push to promote tourism and active transport in Lake Mac and expands our city's network of family-friendly shared pathways."
The newly completed FAST northern section also includes a bespoke bridge over Cold Tea Creek, with teardrop-shaped steel framing echoing the 'When the Moon Cried' creation story.
A separate life-size art installation at the start of the boardwalk, by local Aboriginal artists Shellie Smith and Daniella Chedzey and fellow artist Julie Squires, features sculptural interpretations of a 'gunya' shelter, a bark canoe and other features of a traditional Aboriginal camp.
Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Carol Proctor said the track was "an amazing addition to Lake Macquarie".
"The path itself runs through much of our significant cultural landscape, with the centrepiece being Belmont Lagoon – a place of high cultural and ecological value," she said.
"With the path infrastructure centred around the lagoon, it allows the continuation of our prized stories, as well as our ever-present connection to country."
Federal Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Shortland MP Pat Conroy spoke about how he and his family had long loved using the existing Fernleigh Track.
"I know the value of this transport route to our community," he said.
"This shared track will be very popular, particularly for cyclists who can now ride along the newly created 27km route."
"I'm pleased that the Albanese Government has supported the delivery of $1.15 million for the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, and I am so excited for locals and visitors to our community to get out and enjoy it."
NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Minister for the Hunter and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said the FAST project created the region's longest shared walking and cycling route, creating the potential to host a wide variety of sporting and fitness events such as marathons.
"The track is also an opportunity for us to showcase the incredible scenery of the area, which was previously hidden, helping put Lake Macquarie on the map," she said.
"Enjoying the outdoors is such an important part of life in the Hunter, and this will make it even better for the people who live here."
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said the track boosted active transport options in the Hunter.
"Active transport such as the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track makes our communities happier and healthier, getting families out and about together to take part in free activities," she said.
"There is a strong movement towards active transport corridors in our regional communities and it's great to be part of a government funding the development and delivery of infrastructure which is practical, beautiful and acknowledges First Nations culture."
Council Project Manager Tess Dziwulski said the art installation and bridge were designed from scratch to be eye-catching additions to the project.
"We wanted these features to be a talking point – not just to be attractive, but to start conversations about the deep cultural significance of this whole area," she said.
The NSW Government awarded the project $7.5 million in funding through Round Two of its Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund, and a further $1.2 million through its Get NSW Active fund. The Australian Government is providing $1.2 million through its Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Fund.
Council contributed the remaining funds.
