funding · Central Coast Council
Flood-prone Bateau Bay path redirected to cycling strategy
A pathway linking Anne Findlay Place with Bateau Bay Square will be considered through Central Coast Council’s draft Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy after a seven-seven vote was resolved by the mayor’s casting vote.
A flood-prone shared pathway used by retirement and aged-care residents in Bateau Bay has been redirected to Central Coast Council’s draft Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy, rather than receiving the standalone report originally proposed.
The pathway connects Anne Findlay Place with Bateau Bay Square, which includes the Bateau Bay Library, medical services and the post office. Council recognised that flooding regularly makes the route impassable and unsafe.
Councillor Margot Castles’ motion sought recognition of the path as essential infrastructure, support for strategy themes covering accessible paths, everyday destinations, amenity and climate resilience, and a report to the August Infrastructure and Assets Committee.
Councillor Rachel Stanton moved an amendment stating that the draft strategy’s core themes would help prioritise proposed missing links and that the strategy was proposed for consideration at the August Infrastructure and Assets Committee.
The amendment passed on Mayor Lawrie McKinna’s casting vote after seven councillors voted for it and seven against. The amended motion also passed on the mayor’s casting vote.
Mayor McKinna, Deputy Mayor John Mouland, Councillors Kyla Daniels, Doug Eaton OAM, Rachel Stanton, Jared Wright and John McNamara voted in favour. Councillors Kyle MacGregor, Margot Castles, Helen Crowley, Sharon Walsh, Belinda Neal, Jane Smith and Corinne Lamont voted against.
The draft strategy had been placed on public exhibition, with community members invited to make submissions. Its proposed consideration at the August committee meeting is the next step for the pathway issue.
The motion did not approve a separate pathway upgrade or identify funding for flood-mitigation works.
Reference minutes
Central Coast Council considered the matter at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 28 July 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The pathway links Anne Findlay Place with Bateau Bay Square.
- Bateau Bay Square includes the Bateau Bay Library, medical services and post office.
- Council recognised regular flooding can make the pathway impassable and unsafe.
- The amended motion passed on Mayor McKinna’s casting vote after a seven-seven vote.
- The draft Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy is proposed for consideration at the August Infrastructure and Assets Committee.
- No separate pathway upgrade or funding was approved.
Why it matters
- The pathway is a regular link to essential services for older residents, but no separate upgrade or funding was approved.