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Boonerah Point works add to pathway circumnavigation of Lake Illawarra

          by Mark Jones

Magnificent Boonerah Point and just one of its well kept fishing secrets. Photo: Mark Jones

Shellharbour City Council workers are well on their way to adding to the already extensive pathways surrounding Lake Illawarra.

At Boonerah Point - next to Mt Warrigal on the south-eastern shores of the lake - a cement path is being constructed along with a small children's playground, a picnic area and other recreational additions.

Although the works in this instance are being funded by Shellharbour Council, the development adds to already extensive pathways and recreational facilities installed and maintained by the Lake Illawarra Authority for the benefit of the community.

To-date, wide "shared" pathways (for runners, walkers, pushbike riders, skaters etc) cover around 24 kilometres of the lake's approximate 40-kilometre perimeter, mostly adjacent to lake shores.

The new pathway at Boonerah Point will allow users to stay away from nearby roads, and enjoy a safe and relaxed atmosphere while journeying right alongside the magnificent lake.

Going forward the LIA - in conjunction with both Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council - intends to complete "missing link" pathways circumnavigating Lake Illawarra, so that the entire circumference of the lake is surrounded by appropriate shoreline infrastructure. 

Shared pathways at present include Warrawong to Kanahooka (11.7 kms), Kanahooka to Albion Park Rail (10.6 kms), Albion Park Rail to Lake Illawarra (10.4 kms) and Windang to Warrawong (5.4 kms).

The Shellharbour Council work comes at a cost of around $50,000 and includes picnic tables and seats, bike racks, hardwood garden edging, clearance of lantana and other nuisance flora, and mass plantings of native species.

At the time of writing the works at Boonerah Point were expected to take just a couple of weeks to complete - with the sunshine and fishing looking most inviting as the photographs were taken.

 

The pathway was around half-completed when this photograph was taken. Up toward the trees is where the small playground and picnic area will be located. Over the hill there are extensive picnic grounds, a large play centre and the great fishing and recreational jetty pictured above. Photo: Mark Jones