Blue Mile Tramway Link Reopens

The popular shared pathway linking Belmore Basin and North Wollongong Beach has reopened today, Saturday 9 June, following a multimillion dollar overhaul.

The Blue Mile Tramway Seawall and Shared Path Upgrade was reopened by Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM who, together, unveiled a plaque commemorating the significant project.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have the honour of reopening this much-loved link between Belmore Basin and North Wollongong Beach and the pathway that provides access to the Continental and Gentlemen’s pools,” Cr Bradbery said.

“I know our community will welcome having this pathway back for them to walk, run and cycle along and I think they’re going to be impressed by the difference those 15 months have made.

“The shared pathway is wider, better lit and has seats where people can stop and enjoy the view along the way. It really is an impressive overhaul and I invite everyone to come on down and enjoy this community space.’’

The area known as the Tramway is about 500 metres long and was originally built for coal wagons to haul coal from the Mt Pleasant mine down to the Harbour. The historic link was closed in March 2017 for a project that was expected to take about 18 months to complete. The works included the construction of a new seawall, new balustrade, lighting and seating and an upgraded and widened shared pathway.

The new seawall featured 150 precast reinforced concrete panels – that weigh between 6 and 12 tonnes each. There was 750 metres of new kerbing and pit and pipe drainage put in along the site and 15 new light poles.

Underfoot there are some 8,500 pavers and 19,000 individual stone cobbles have been laid and 520 metres of locally-made stainless steel and painted balustrade form the new sea-side handrail.

“Over the past 10 years Council has gradually worked towards bringing the Blue Mile Masterplan to life and improving the facilities around Wollongong’s foreshore area. The reopening of this link today is another key piece in that puzzle,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“You can now walk, run or ride from North Wollongong Beach right through to City Beach on wide and smooth shared pathways and make the most of the views our City is lucky to offer.

“We have a commitment through our Wollongong 2028 community goals to make Wollongong a place which values its natural beauty and fosters a healthy lifestyle and this link delivers on that commitment and more. So everyone, it’s reopened, it’s yours and come and enjoy it.’’

The Blue Mile Tramway Seawall and Shared Path Upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($900,000) and Wollongong City Council.

If you’d like to know more about the project, please contact Council’s Customer Service Team on (02) 4227 7111.

Like Loading...