Iconic slice of Sutherland Shire waterfront set to be unlocked with construction of Hungry Point Walk

Long-term plans to expand public access to one of the Sydney coastline’s hidden gems are set to be realised with construction of a cliff top walkway around the Sutherland Shire’s scenic Cronulla peninsula officially getting underway.

Sutherland Shire Mayor Councillor Carmelo Pesce, Deputy Mayor Carol Provan, Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman, Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell, Crown Lands Metropolitan Area Manager Glen Camenzuli turn the first sods on the project which will significantly extend the existing Cronulla Coastal Walk once complete.

The NSW Government through the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has contributed $6.9 million to the project, including $4.9 million from the Planning Department’s Places to Roam Open Space Program, and $2 million from Crown Lands from the COVID Stimulus program.

The first stage of the Hungry Point Cliff Top Walk is set to extend the much-loved Esplanade pedestrian walkway to continue along the coast down the eastern outskirts of the Hungry Point Reserve, reaching the headland at the southern point of the peninsula.

Further works being proposed as part of a second stage of the project will see additional walkways around the western side of the Cronulla peninsula, taking in views of the stunning Gunnamatta Bay.

Mayor Pesce said he was delighted to officially kickstart construction on the project, which had been realised through the provision of $6.9m in grant funding from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

“Hungry Point is a beautiful slice of nature tucked away at the southern tip of the Cronulla peninsula, which not only offers amazing views out over the ocean and across the Port Hacking, but also features numerous sites of Indigenous cultural significance,” Mayor Pesce said.

“By extending the Cronulla Coastal Walk down to the tip of the peninsula, we are unlocking the potential of this amazing site as a great destination for local residents looking to enjoy our stunning natural surrounds, but we will also offer even more to entice visitors to the Sutherland Shire.

“Our community have played a pivotal role in shaping this project through the input they provided to Council’s Hungry Point Reserve Strategic Masterplan. Once completed, this project will deliver upon our community’s wishes to enjoy better access to this hidden slice of coastal stunning coastal scenery.

“Hungry Point has been the long-term home of Marine Rescue NSW and we are delighted to have reached agreement with the organisation to allow improved public access to this beautiful area without impacting the life-saving work they conduct in our community.
“On behalf of our community, I’d like to thank the NSW Government for their generous support of this project, and to all those whose advocacy is now set to see it come to fruition.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said he was looking forward to seeing the project take shape, saying it would come as a great new addition to the walking tracks that can be enjoyed along the NSW coastline.

“NSW is home to some of Australia’s most iconic coastal walking tracks, and with the construction of this project effectively extending pedestrian access right around the Cronulla peninsula, the new Hungry Point Cliff Top Walk will be right up there among our best coastal walks,” Mr Scully said.

“The strong support the NSW Government has provided to this project, will enable the Hungry Point Cliff Top Walk to leap from drawing board to actual boardwalk.”

Mr Kamper acknowledged the long-term advocacy of the community and expressed his excitement towards the delivery of the extended boardwalk.

“It’s great to see that all the hard work and advocacy of local organisations is now set to deliver such a fantastic result,” Minister Kamper said.

“I would like to recognise the efforts of former members of the Hungry Point Reserve Land Manager Board and also Sutherland Shire Council, their efforts to achieve what I know will be an incredible result that will deliver tremendous community experience for generations to come.”

Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman said with the completed project to effectively extend the already heavily utilised Esplanade walkway, it would greatly enhance opportunities for local residents to get out and get active along Cronulla’s iconic coastline.

“On any given day of the week you’ll see hundreds of locals out pounding the pavements enjoying the amazing scenery along Cronulla’s much-loved Esplanade,” Mr Speakman said.

“The Hungry Point Cliff Top Walk will link some of our most beautiful public spaces, allowing local residents and visitors to our community even greater opportunity to take in the stunning views and rich cultural history that can be enjoyed along the Cronulla foreshore.”

With work now underway, residents can expect stage one of the project to be completed in April 2025. Once completed, the walkway will feature a raised and suspended boardwalk to the eastern and southern edges of the site incorporating interpretive signage, seating, an accessible viewing platform and bush regeneration and landscape enhancement to also be completed adjacent to the walkway.

Stage two of the project proposed additional walkways around the western edge of the Cronulla peninsula, with planning for this stage of the project still underway. These Stage one works are planned to be delivered through the $6.9m in NSW Government grant funding already contributed towards the project.