Bathurst Regional Council and the NSW Government announced in mid-April that a boardwalk would be constructed from Griffin’s Bend to the Bathurst Light Car Club at the top of Conrod Straight. 

Each level of government would contributed $1 million to the project, which aims to improve pedestrian safety around the most dangerous parts of Mount Panorama. 

The issues include lack of suitable space for walkers and the decreased visibility for motorists coming around the bends. 

Council’s director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, said it will take a little more time for the project to go to tender. 

“Signed funding was received by council in August,” he said.

“Cultural due diligence investigations are being carried out at present. Once complete a design quotation will be invited from local design firms. 

“Then the construction tender will be advertised.”

The boardwalk will be on the inside of the track in the area owned by Crown Lands and council, and as such won’t interfere with residential properties.

It will span around 1.7 kilometres and be made of a variety of materials, including steel and timber.

There will also be a viewing area.

“A viewing platform will be constructed to the side of the boardwalk for an opportunity for people to stop and enjoy the views over the Bathurst plains,” Mr Sturgiss said. 

“The boardwalk will provide a safety for pedestrians and drive tourism to Bathurst by being another experience for people who visit Mt Panorama.”

Given the difficulty of the terrain, works will need to be “conducted by a contractor with skills and expertise to efficiently negotiate any complex aspects of this project”.

At this stage, the boardwalk is anticipated to be complete and ready to use by the end of 2019.

People will be able to use the boardwalk all year round, except during motor sport events, at which time the circuit and boardwalk will be closed to the public.