The southern end of Palm Beach will be improved to make it safer and more accessible while retaining its natural character and charm.

Northern Beaches Council General Manager Infrastructure & Environment Ben Taylor said the project would improve the area and also link to the new walkway from the Palm Beach Ferry Wharf to Governor Phillip Park, which forms part of the larger Connecting Northern Beaches iconic coastal walkway from Palm Beach to Manly.

That project is funded under the $32.6 million Connecting Northern Beaches program, from the Stronger Communities Fund made available by the State Government through the merger process.

“Palm Beach is an iconic landmark with an established ‘sense of place’.  It is highly valued by the community especially because of environmental, heritage and social values like the geology and topography, the shape and form of the beach and dunes and the native vegetation,” Mr Taylor said. 

“This plan retains that character while at the same time upgrading infrastructure like pedestrian facilities including a boardwalk. At the moment the pedestrian route from Governor Philip Park to the ‘kiddies corner’ is a mish-mash of access along the roadside and across the dunes.

“The plan reflects the community feedback for a “less is more” approach with minimal interventions using natural materials where possible while at the same time making access safer and more amenable, especially for the elderly and young families.

The plan includes additional planting on the dunes and other beachside areas plus the installation of ‘heritage style’ picnic shelters at both Hordern and Wiltshire Parks.

Following the completion of detailed design, works to improve public access are planned to commence mid-2018.