Have your say on the Nepean Avenue pathway

Monday, 31 July 2023

Penrith residents and visitors can look forward to improved safety and connectivity on the popular Great River Walk, with Penrith City Council releasing a revised design for the new pedestrian pathway on Nepean Avenue. 

The new 2.6-metre-wide pathway on the western side of Nepean Avenue, between Tench Reserve and Memorial Avenue, aims to address pedestrian safety issues and provide the missing link to the popular Bridge-to-Bridge loop. 

The project will also see Nepean Avenue become a two-way quietway with a reduced 30km/hr speed limit to support the safe integration of cyclists on the road and encourage more active transport. More trees will also be planted to improve amenity and provide more shade. 

The revised design has been prepared in response to increasing activity around the Nepean River Precinct, due to ongoing improvements stimulated by the Our River Masterplan and a greater appreciation of outdoor recreation following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A survey conducted in November 2022 assessed movements along Nepean Avenue as remaining above pre-COVID levels, with 379 vehicles, 1,025 pedestrians and 67 cyclists recorded within five hours on a Saturday morning. 

An independent road safety audit identified pedestrians as being at high risk on Nepean Avenue and recommended a clear separation between the road and the pathway to prevent accidents and injuries. 

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen says that as pedestrian activity around the Nepean River Precinct continues to increase, so does the need for a permanent solution to address the pedestrian safety issues on Nepean Avenue. 

“Temporary safety measures are already in place on Nepean Avenue, but without formal pedestrian infrastructure, pedestrians are still forced to walk on the road, representing a clear safety risk, “Cr Hitchen said.  

“Council has listened to previous feedback and investigated many options to ensure the revised design addresses these safety concerns and meets the needs and expectations of residents and the broader community.  

“The continued participation of our community is vital to the success of this project. I encourage further feedback, so we can finalise the design and move forward with providing this safer connection for our community,” Cr Hitchen said.  

Community feedback on the revised design is invited until 14 August 2023. Learn more and provide feedback at: yoursaypenrith.com.au/nepeanavenue or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Penrith City Council. Council secured a $1.25 million grant under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program, and a further $2.5 million is allocated from Council’s District Open Space Contributions Plan.  

For more information visit: Metropolitan Greenspace Program | Planning (nsw.gov.au)

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Monday, 31 July 2023.