Proposed footpath extension works at Rembrandt Drive, Middle Cove

Street footpaths help improve pedestrian accessibility, encourage a healthy lifestyle and reduce road congestion and vehicle-related environmental impacts. For this reason, Willoughby City Council has a Missing Links program in place to prioritise footpath improvements across the LGA.

Rembrandt Drive at Middle Cove has been identified as a high priority location for footpath works under the Missing Links program given it provides access to Harold Reid Reserve, is located on a bus route, and has history of correspondence from residents seeking a new footpath.

Earlier this year, Willoughby City Council completed construction of a footpath between 59 to 83 Rembrandt Drive Middle Cove.

In other parts of Rembrandt Drive, pedestrians need to walk on the grass verge, or where this verge is covered by unauthorised or wild plantings, on the road surface itself. This increases the possibility of trips and accidents, and conflict with motorists, particularly among people with mobility limitations.

Between 3-31 August 2022, the Council sought feedback in relation to:

• Whether funding should be allocated from the Missing Links program budget to extend the footpath to between 32B and 57 Rembrandt Drive before 30 June 2023; and
• The detailed design of footpath works along the entire length of Rembrandt Drive.

Additionally, on Thursday 11 August 2022 between 9am and 5pm, Council staff door-knocked Rembrandt Drive homes which are adjacent to the proposed footpath, to capture feedback from residents.

On at its meeting of 27 February 2023, the Council decided:

• Willoughby City Council does not proceed with the proposed footpath along Rembrandt Drive until it such time that it can be demonstrated that community support for the project exists
• The savings be diverted to the next prioritised project on the Missing Links Program that has a similar community benefit and safety enhancements and is supported by the local community