DUBBO’S LEGACY SHARED PATHWAY AT DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION STAGE
Dubbo Regional Council’s (DRC) masterplan to improve Dubbo’s urban Macquarie River Foreshore is one step closer now that the Legacy Shared Pathway System project has entered Development Application stage.
Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council Mathew Dickerson said he is pleased to see the project reaching this important milestone. “This project has been on the agenda for some time now in different formats. Council has endorsed the latest design updates and it’s entered the Development Application stage. It takes a lot of work behind the scenes to get large scale projects such as the Legacy Shared Pathway system to the construction phase. I am pleased we are another step closer to seeing this project come to life and improve the recreational amenity for the city,” said Mr Dickerson.
The shared pathway will be approximately 320 metres in length and will have a number of cantilevered viewing platforms overlooking the Macquarie River (subject to avoidance of Structural Root Zones / Tree Protection Zones of the mature River Red Gums). The shared pathway will significantly improve connectivity of the CBD Riverbank Precinct, which will be further enhanced by the construction of the Event Precinct at Ollie Robbins Oval and a pedestrian plaza at the end of Church Street. The plaza will be constructed in stages, with Stage 1 connecting the new shared pathway back to the northern walkway and the provision of additional seating in the area.
Dubbo Regional Council was successful in securing $3 million from NSW Government - Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, for the Shared Pathway.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the he is looking forward to the variety of positive recreational opportunities this project will provide. “The shared pathway will significantly enhance connectivity of the riverbank precinct, especially with the construction of the Event Precinct soon to commence, and the development of Stage 1 of the Pedestrian Plaza at the end of Church Street. I hope that these areas will become social hubs that will attract people to enjoy the riverside setting and the facilities on offer,” said Mr Saunders.
In April 2020, following extensive community consultation, the Macquarie River CBD Master Plan was adopted, which includes the Ollie Robbins Event Precinct and the Legacy Shared Pathway.
The original proposed Macquarie River ‘boardwalk’ has evolved in design since this time, following extensive work by structural engineers who recommended that the position of the boardwalk be relocated to the top of the bank to minimise damage from inundation by flood waters and heavy impact damage from debris. The new designs for the Macquarie River Open Spaces Legacy Shared Pathway and Plaza were endorsed to the June Community, Culture and Places Committee.
For more information head to Council's dedicated webpage; Macquarie Foreshore Event Precinct and Shared Pathway
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023