Project update

We love our coast, and we want you to get there safely. We are upgrading infrastructure near Bar Beach to make it safer and easier for everyone to visit, just in time for Summer!

This project will commence in early August 2025 with some adjustments from the concept plans shown during public exhibition.

Section 1 works - Bar Beach Avenue:

• Upgrade of the existing pedestrian refuge on Bar Beach Avenue to improve the safety of the crossing point and include suitable clearance to allow for cyclists.
• Providing a new shared path connection between Parkway Avenue and Empire Park, creating a new cycling connection between Bathers Way and Parkway Avenue.
• Upgrade of street lighting to meet relevant Australian Standards (subject to lighting assessment).

Section 2 works - Memorial Drive:

• Upgrade of the existing pedestrian crossing on Memorial Drive to a raised shared path (yellow) crossing to improve accessibility and safety for all people walking and cycling.
• Removal of the existing refuge island in Memorial Drive and install landscaped kerb extensions to reduce the crossing distance and improve sightlines for pedestrians.
• Construction of a new median to prevent u-turns for vehicles exiting the adjacent car park area.
• Relocation of street lighting to suit the new design (works by Ausgrid).

To ensure the work zone is safe and to minimise the impact of our work, we will have signage in place, and workers onsite to manage traffic movements and diversions.

Local business and resident access will always remain available unless otherwise communicated directly.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the proposed upgrade of the existing crossing at Memorial Drive and refuge island on Bar Beach Avenue to improve safety for all road users.

What we heard

During public exhibition (20 November until 18 December 2023), 89 submissions were received. 79 of these community members supported the proposal (including 22 with changes) and 10 submissions did not support the proposal.

The proposed upgrades were approved by the elected Council on 26 March 2024.

Key themes

Many respondents expressed their support for the upgrades to improve safety in the area. Suggestions for improvement included additional traffic calming devices on Memorial Drive, a pedestrian crossing facility on Bar Beach Avenue, and reduction of the speed limit in Memorial Drive to 40km/h or 30 km/h.

Some concerns were raised regarding the priority cyclist crossing and how it will interact with Bathers Way users. The upgrade of this crossing is considered as part of CN's adopted Cycling Plan, and therefore, the provision for a priority crossing for cyclists is included in future planned works. Different pavement surfaces on the kerb extension and refuge island will reduce cycling speeds at the crossing. The kerb extension will create more space, enabling cyclists to join Bathers Way with more calm and care once the crossing is upgraded.