Updates on the Cooks River Shared Path Improvement at Lees Park
5 November 2025
Thank you for having your say
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the Cooks River Shared Path Improvement at Lees Park.
What’s Happening Now
Construction is in progress, finishing by the end of November 2025.
What we did
We connected with the community through our Have Your Say website, email updates, social media and by sending letters to residents, property owners and business owners near the park.
- 1100 letters sent to residents, property owners and business owners
- 791 views and 590 unique visitors to the Have Your Say website
- 10 Posters were placed around Lees Park
What we heard and how we responded
Overall, the feedback indicated strong community support for the path widening.
- The majority of feedback (34 out of 58 submissions) was supportive of the path widening, with amendments requested
- Five out of 58 submissions were not supportive of the path widening
- Nineteen submissions provided mixed feedback
| What we heard | Council’s response |
| There was general support for tree planting, but a call for better ratios, greater transparency and long-term planning to ensure tree survival and shade along the path. | Replacement trees comply with Council policy; site constraints limit the number of additional trees that can be planted. Six new trees will be planted with careful consideration given to features of the tree species and their impact on our City’s local biodiversity, the existing landscape, ongoing maintenance requirements and existing underground utility services. |
| There was a clear call for Council to prioritise lighting as part of the upgrade to ensure the path is safe, welcoming and functional at all hours. | Lighting is outside the scope of this project due to limited funds. A trial lighting project along the Cooks River bike path at Ewen Park is programmed to be delivered towards the end of the year. The need for additional lighting along the Cooks River shared path will be considered in future projects. |
| Overall, the feedback emphasised that signage and shared user guidelines are essential for improving user behaviour, enhancing safety and supporting harmonious use of the path by all. | Council is developing a signage and wayfinding strategy for the full length of the Cooks River shared path. |
| There is a concern that the widened path will be closer to the cricket nets at Lees Park. | The path was widened on the north side to minimise the loss of trees. The ball direction from the cricket nets is along the path and additional conflicts will be minimal. Council will monitor the area and implement upgrades if required. |
| There is a concern that conflicts will occur when the path width transitions from 4m to 2.5m. | The path width transitions are unavoidable. Any conflicts will be minor with respectful use of the path. |
| Requests for more path widening and improvements along the full length of the Cooks River shared path. | Council is progressively implementing upgrades along the Cooks River shared path as funding becomes available. |
