Wollongong City Council recently started removing vegetation along the future pathway site between Coalcliff railway station and Stoney Creek Bridge, Coalcliff.

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the council was now beginning work on a three-kilometre section which runs between Stoney Creek Bridge and Stanwell Park.

Read more: The missing link –  work on Grand Pacific Walk to begin

‘’This is a high priority because it is steep with unstable sections and in many areas has no existing pathway for pedestrians and cyclists,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

The city council has contributed $2.19 million to the upgrade project.

‘’The Grand Pacific Walk is an exciting and ambitious project to create safe, shared pathways from the Royal National Park in the city’s north to Lake Illawarra in the south,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

‘’Already, there are some picturesque parts of the walk around Wollongong Harbour’s Blue Mile and around Bulli.’’

Wollongong councillor Leigh Colacino said the next stage of the project will provide a significant boost to the local tourism industry.

‘’The Grand Pacific Walk will be a big drawcard for the area, attracting tourists to come explore Wollongong’s beautiful coastline,’’ he said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said the NSW Government committed $5 million to the project under the Restart Illawarra Infrastructure Fund.

‘’Roads and Maritime also contributed $100,000 towards this project,’’ Mr Ward said.

‘’The coastal route from Wollongong to southern Sydney is very scenic and has been promoted widely lately thanks to the Grand Pacific Drive launch.

‘’The drive catered for motor vehicles, while this new project will move towards promoting pedestrian and cyclist use.

‘’Importantly, this project will improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists and promote greater tourism to the Illawarra.’’

Heathcote MP Lee Evans said the project was expected to be completed by May 2018.