An informal section of the track along the cliff top at Winney Bay has been closed to due to community safety concerns.

We have undertaken geotechnical surveys as part of the design phase of Stage 2 of the 5 Lands Coastal Walkway Masterplan . As a result, a 130m section of the informal walk has been found to be within the unacceptable risk zone due to its proximity to the sheer cliff faces.

Barriers and signage have been erected on site to ensure walkers are aware of the restrictions.

Council apologises for the inconvenience; however, community safety remains our priority.

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Background 

The 5 Lands Coastal Walkway Masterplan of March 2012 was prepared as part of an undertaking to provide a permanent walking trail to connect the five coastal communities of Macmasters Beach, Copacabana, Avoca, North Avoca and Terrigal.

Works towards establishing the permanent walking trail between the communities or lands include:

• Upgrade of Captain Cook Lookout in 2012
• Installation of signage along the route of the 5 Lands Walk event in 2012
• Construction of an access pathway from near 55 Del Monte Place to the old farmhouse site at the base of Winney Bay in 2015
• Construction of stairs and landings on the steepest part proposed permanent route in 2018.

The 5 Lands Walk held around the Winter Solstice attracts over 20,000 participants. While the current route of the 5 Lands Walk is busiest on the day of the event, it can be used throughout the year to enjoy our local coastal environment.

The ‘missing link’ of the 5 Lands Walk remains between the carpark at the Captain Cook Lookout and the top of the stairs constructed in 2018. Access to the clifftop in this area is not permitted due to the risk associated with the sheer drop of over 100 metres.

Council has considered a design to establish a route between the Captain Cook Carpark and the top of the 2018 stairs, which is referred to Stage 2 of the clifftop walk.  Prior to Council being placed in administration Council had resolved to undertaken further community consultation on a number of design options.  The Your Voice our Coast website provides details of these design options.

No decisions have been made by Council about Stage 2 of the project in the absence of elected representatives.  It is anticipated that consideration will be given to Stage 2 of the Winney Bay Clifftop Walk in the first term of Council following the local government elections of September 2024. 
 

Frequently asked questions 

When will the informal track reopen?

Council has no timeframe for the reopening of the informal track. The clifftop area presents risks to anyone accessing the closed informal track.

Why didn’t you know this before now?

Until now, Council did not monitor the usage of, or maintain, the informal section of track. The usage of the clifftop area has however been seen to increase over time, and to reduce the risk to the community the informal track has been closed.  

Geotechnical studies were required as part of the design for both stages of the proposed Winney Bay Clifftop Walk. These studies identified constraints for any construction works proposed for the formalisation of a permanent walkway along the Winney Bay clifftop.

The informal track has developed without consideration of the inherent and changing risks to users associated with the cliff top environment. The potential risk to the community has led to the closure of the informal track. 

Why has the track been closed?

The informal section of track along the cliff top at Winney Bay has been closed to due to community safety concerns. 

We have undertaken geotechnical surveys as part of the design phase of Stage 2 of the walk. As a result, a 130m section of the informal walk has been found to be within the unacceptable risk zone due to its proximity to the sheer cliff faces. 

The formalised sections of the walk between Macmasters Beach and Terrigal remain open.