A 6km stretch of access trail in the escarpment behind Woonona and Corrimal is the missing link holding up a connected escarpment track from the Royal National Park to Wollongong.
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But the trail in question crosses Wollongong Coal's Russell Vale mining lease, and the miner has so far been reluctant to entertain public use of the trail.
As it stands, walkers headed along the path are met with heavy gates and signs warning it is an "operational mine site" and that trespassers may be prosecuted.
The land is controlled but largely unused - the miner must maintain the path for fire access, but no mining has occurred at Russell Vale for years.
Perhaps the most passionate advocates for the track to be opened up are the Seacliff Coasters trail running group.
Founder Mat Wall-Smith said the number of people who would use the track regularly would be significant - both among locals and visitors drawn to the area.
An annual trail run meeting in the Blue Mountains draws major crowds, and Mr Wall-Smith, a father of one from Thirroul, said the Illawarra Escarpment would be a major attraction for the trail running community.
"That's what we do - we travel to places and run there. We love it," he said.
"The Coasters have had good interactions with Ryan Park and we are keen to work with him and NPWS to work out how we can all make this trail happen."
He understood the miner's hesitation about potential liabilities, but said working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service he was hopeful that a solution could be reached.
And he said regular trail users could help maintain the path.
"We feel a sense of custodianship ... a sense of feeling responsible for our little stretch of trail. We are currently trying to set up a Seacliff Coasters Landcare group so we can put that into action."
Kaye Osborn from the Illawarra Residents for Responsible Mining group has been a longstanding member of the Community Consultative Committee for the Russell Vale mine.
Ms Osborn said the issue of the walking trails had been raised at a recent meeting and a Wollongong Coal representative was not warm on the idea.
But she said it appeared in the minutes somewhat differently, noting the involvement in the conversations of Mr Park, and a proposed escarpment walking track on the Upper Escarpment trail.
"The company told the CCC at the May meeting that they would not allow any bushwalking [etc] on their land because they are liable if something goes wrong," Ms Osborn said.
The Mercury has asked Wollongong Coal if it would consider allowing the trail to be opened across its lease but has not received a response.
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