Facilities at Saltwater Creek Reserve have been greatly enhanced with a new boardwalk to be officially opened by Central Coast Council on Saturday 16 September.

Part of a $354,000 project to rehabilitate the sensitive saltmarsh area, the 200-metre boardwalk features an education loop and conservation signage and has been designed to complement the nearby Saltwater Creek Bridge.

Council Manager Waterways and Coastal Protection, Mr Peter Ham, said the boardwalk is designed to protect the sensitive foreshore habitat and is part of Council’s commitment to improve the amenity and recreational opportunities around Tuggerah Lakes.

“This project is a truly collaborative effort, with funding from the Federal Government through the National Landcare Programme and Council’s commitment to improve the water quality and recreational opportunities around Tuggerah Lakes,” Mr Ham said.

“The boardwalk took four months to construct and protects the sensitive foreshore plants in this area, as well as encourages community members to safely access and experience this scenic foreshore environment.

“I encourage the community to come along to the opening of this fantastic community boardwalk and see for themselves – it is a great addition to our shared pathway network.”

The opening event, to be held from midday until 3pm, will feature a free BBQ run by The Entrance Lions Club, Australian wildlife displays including lizards, pythons, frogs, possums, birds and a baby crocodile, environmental conservation talks and a fact hunt with prizes.

The project involved extensive bush regeneration and:

• Works to enhance and protect two endangered ecological communities -- Saltmarsh and Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest
• The provision of habitat for native wildlife through foreshore and forest improvements and installation of nest boxes
• Improvement to the amenity of the popular bike path running through the site by weeding, mulching and planting with native plants in surrounding reserve.

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said investment in Tuggerah Lakes by Council and the Federal Government had reached over $30 million on the estuary and catchment in the past eight years and the results are really starting to show.

“Water quality has improved in recent years, as shown in our annual Estuary Report Card, and new Gross Pollutant Traps and catchment improvement works have ensured thousands of tonnes of pollutants and litter have been kept out of the Lakes,” Mr Reynolds said.

“The Lakes are one of our greatest natural assets on the Coast and this new boardwalk is just one of a number of new recreational facilities along the Lakes for the community to enjoy.”

Located at the eastern end of Lucinda Avenue (opposite McLean Street), visitors can park at Saltwater Creek Reserve, walk past the BMX track and cross Saltwater Creek Bridge to arrive at the new boardwalk.

This project was jointly funded by Central Coast Council and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

The Estuary Report Card on Tuggerah Lakes can be accessed on Council’s Love Our Living Lakes website.