The promenade, which represents the latest stage of the Blue Mile project, will skirt Wollongong Harbour and link with North Beach on the east side of Cliff Rd.

A new on-road cycleway will be established alongside the path to help eliminate cycle and pedestrian conflicts.

It will complement a shared cycleway on the southern side of Brighton Lawn that is about to be opened by Wollongong City Council.

The promenade will include suspended paths, viewing decks with seating, safer hand rails, landscaping, improved lighting and picture-perfect points for wedding snaps.

A three-tonne excavator was yesterday used to turn the first sod of the promenade, which is expected to be completed by Christmas.

Present were Wollongong City administrators Dr Col Gellatly and Robert McGregor, general manager David Farmer, Cunningham MP Sharon Bird and representatives of GMW Urban contractors.

The Federal Government has contributed $2.9 million towards the project under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program Strategic Projects, while Wollongong council has allocated $530,000.

Ms Bird said 20 to 30 jobs would be supported through the project, and recreational amenities and tourism would be expanded.

Dr Gellatly said the new Blue Mile pathway was sure to attract both locals and visitors to the harbour.

On completion, the council will start work on the second stretch that will link North Beach to Georges Place, above the Continental Pool.

"Extensions to the footpath and cycleway along Belmore Basin and Osborne Park will complement the new Cliff Rd pathway to make the area even more accessible for walkers, joggers and cyclists," Dr Gellatly said.