Beach to Beach is first and foremost a community uniting community project.
Its primary aim is to establish a riverside pathway/cyclepath linking Pilots Beach, all along the side of the Camden Haven River to North Haven Beach, an 11 kilometre stretch of riverside path.
Throughout the route, the goal of the committee behind this incredible venture is to provide a variety of installations to activate, educate, communicate and inspire not only the locals who live in the Camden Haven, but all our visitors to the region.
It has been a community desire for over 20 years for a foot/cycle path in Dunbogan, with its primary concern being pedestrian safety. The project began in 2014, when the community petitioned Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC)…the Beach to Beach Committee was officially formed.
The committee is made up of seven local volunteers who are committed to safely connecting the Camden Haven via one continuous pathway, they are an incorporated association and hold elections each December.
Our local MP Leslie Williams allocated the first major funding to the project in 2017 of $700k. This really got the project off the ground as it funded the initial consultation process and final detailed designs, compliance reports and all the permissions required to get the project ‘shovel ready’.
Since 2018 the committee have been part of the PMHC Operational Plan, with their own dedicated section within the plan.
To date, they have secured over four million dollars in funding from all three levels of Government.
The committee and their valued volunteers have worked tirelessly on various fundraising events. Allowing them to unite and keep the community informed of the pathway progress, whilst raising much needed funds.
To date, the entire North Haven and Laurieton sections have been completed and eight of the 12 sections in the Camden Haven will be finished by April 2024.
This means that once the current section called D3 is complete, there will be only four sections of pathway to go. They are currently working with the NSW Government and PMHC to secure funding for these sections.
You will also see various art installations along the path in North Haven, Apex Park and Pilot Beach due for completion in 2024.
How You Can Get Involved
Your help is really appreciated with emails and letters to PMHC and Leslie Williams MP all help to advocate for the funding needed.
Send a message via their Facebook page (link below) to get in touch to learn more about how you can help.
The vision, when complete, will be a drawcard for visitors to experience a safe and level pathway and have the potential to be the stage for a half marathon. The level path is wide, with space for all…make sure you get out and take a walk or cycle and enjoy this incredible story of persistence, commitment at the heart of the Camden Haven.
Links for Beach to Beach Shared Pathway:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/b2briverwalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beachtobeachpathway/
Website: https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/About-us/Our-projects/Beach-to-Beach-Shared-Path