Illawarra's active transport network receives $10m boost

A two-way shared cycleway at Corrimal, better footpaths around Helensburgh station, and new sheltered bike storage at Dapto are among 28 newly announced active transport upgrades for the Illawarra.

On Friday 10 October the NSW Government committed to a $10 million investment to make it safer and easier to walk and ride to 11 Illawarra stations.

More than $3 million of the investment will be used to build a two-way shared cycleway at Corrimal, which will stretch nearly one kilometre along Murray Road between Corrimal Station and Cawley Street.

Corrimal will also see a new pedestrian refuge installed and additional bicycle racks outside the station.

Other stations to benefit include Helensburgh, which will see existing bicycle storage upgraded and bicycle racks replaced, a footpath upgrade and new lighting.

Footpaths will also be improved between the station and nearby bus stop, with a new refuge crossing installed across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between the school and railway station.

Stanwell Park will welcome new lighting, CCTV installed and footpaths upgraded.

Scarborough will see a new pedestrian refuge across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between the station and nearby school, improved footpath access between the station and bus stop, and improvements to station stairs.

A ramp will replace stairs at Coledale while Austinmer will see two pedestrian refuge crossings installed across nearby streets and a new sheltered bicycle storage space at both station entrances.

Existing bicycle storage will be upgraded and bicycle racks replaced at Thirroul, along with upgraded footpath and new lighting. The nearby bus stop will be improved so vehicles can overtake waiting buses.

Bulli will see new sheltered bicycle storage installed, existing bicycle racks upgraded and more lighting while North Wollongong will welcome a new secure bicycle shed with CCTV installed.

At Coniston, where work is underway to make the suburb fully accessible, sheltered bicycle storage will be installed along with new lighting and upgraded footpaths.

Dapto will welcome new sheltered bicycle facilities.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said easy connections were key to maximising the use of public transport.

“There are 25 train stations in the Wollongong local government area, and there is a growing need to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can connect to these public transport hubs as safely and easily as possible,” she said.

“Sheltered bicycle storage, new refuge crossings and street lighting with CCTV are just some of the many projects we will be rolling out to support the community.

“We know people in the Illawarra love active transport, so making it easier for people to make the most of these last mile connections is essential.

“All of these small but meaningful investments dotted along the coast will make neighbourhoods across the Illawarra better connected.”

A NSW Government spokesperson said the projects should be completed between early next year and the first half of 2026.

The announcement comes as Transport for NSW has approved an extension of Wollongong City Council’s shared e-scooter trial until 30 June 2025.

In the first 12 months of the trial with operator Neuron Mobility, 165,000 e-scooter trips were taken in the Wollongong local government area – with riders collectively clocking up more than 316,000 kilometres, enough to ride around Australia more than 20 times.

In addition to extending its trial, the council is exploring options to expand the trial footprint to support more people riding shared e-scooters to reach their destinations.

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said he was pleased the trial would be extended.

“I’ve said before Wollongong is the best city in the world to ride a bike, now it’s the best place to ride an e-scooter,” he said.

“I am pleased that council is also exploring expanding the eScooter trial zone to potentially include Port Kembla and that’s really exciting.

“The upgrades to stations and improved connections to Corrimal Station will make for a better public transport experience for current and future residents.”