Help get a foot bridge across the Cooks River

The parklands on the banks of the Cooks River provide considerable amenity to the community by way of walking paths, open playing fields, various public recreational facilities and a “natural” environmental experience. This amenity is enjoyed by all age groups and across a rage of ethnicities, interests and sporting codes.

Walking/cycle paths travel along both sides of the river. At the Illawarra Rd crossing the paths of both sides connect on the eastern side of that bridge forming one end of a loop that does not require crossing Illawarra Road. However, this is not the case where the paths reach Unwins Bridge.

To form a loop at the Unwins Bridge end pedestrians and cyclists need to cross the road twice. A set of lights enables people to cross at Tempe Station but the 2nd crossing at Bayview St, just inside Canterbury Council, is only supported by a refuge. A narrow cantilevered path is available on the South Eastern side of Unwins Bridge.

The necessity to cross heavily trafficked streets is a major impediment to casual use of the river paths. It is a significant safety issue and detracts from the usability and unity of the parklands on both sides of this reach of the Cooks River. There has been a long held desire by many residents on both sides of the river to have better pedestrian/cycle access across Unwins Bridge.