Frequently asked questions

The trail only operates on public land and no private property will be utilised at any part of the trail.

In certain areas where there is restricted space or ‘tight areas’, a registered surveyor will be engaged by Council prior to the construction stage for the trail. The surveyor will delineate private property boundaries along the trail for final route planning.

Wayfinding signage on the trail will clearly identify the trail and include messaging to deter trespassing on private land.

It is the responsibility of landowners to maintain the security and fencing of their properties. Residents have always had the right to install fences, mark posts and/or plant vegetation within the boundaries of their property to prevent trespassing and shortcuts on the trail via private property.

Unauthorised and dangerous private structures - for example, steps, benches, treehouses - located on public land may be removed during construction of the trail. Where possible and when ownership is clear, notification will be given to surrounding residents as part of normal construction notification.

No additional toilet facilities will be constructed as part of the trail construction project. Council will continue to monitor the needs of the local community in relation to available facilities and the trail will be included in this ongoing monitoring process.

Trail signage will direct users to the nearest restrooms, rubbish bins, and parking spaces. Additional rubbish and recycling bins will be installed at areas where they can be maintained by existing Council waste collection services.

Standard penalties for littering apply to littering on the trail, with fines starting at $250.

Information signage on the route will strongly urge trail users to ‘leave nothing but footprints’ to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape.

Various points along the trail have been identified as needing new barriers, fencing or railings to improve overall safety along the trail. It is important to Council that the railings and fences match the barrier style with the degree of risk, intended walker experience, and trail character and setting.

Vegetation barriers will be implemented, along with railing and balustrades. In most cases these will be low-profile barriers, except where heavy-duty fencing is required for high-standard lookouts.

• Concept plan pages 108-110: examples of vegetation barriers, safety barriers and railings (9.1 MB)

The trail is designed to be natural and low-impact, and maintenance of the trail will form part of Council's day-to-day operations and include:

• periodic clearing or cutting back vegetation that obstructs the trail
• periodic assessments of safety barriers, stairways and other built structures to assess safety and structural integrity
• periodic assessments of identified erosion areas and implement other erosion control measures as required
• bushfire maintenance as per other management activities

As the trail is on public land, bushfire management of the trail will follow Council’s existing bush fire plans and management.

There are a number of existing dedicated off-street car parks located along the route of the trail. These can be viewed using the interactive map on this website.

Once completed, the most suitable car parks for people walking the length of the trail (14-15 kms) will be at the start and finish points – Observation Point and McKenzies Beach.

For people that are walking smaller parts of the trail, it is expected they will utilise existing car parks or use on-street parking in suitable areas that allow for trail access based on their level of ability. All existing parking regulations and signage will apply.

In line with Council’s Companion Animal Management Plan, domestic animals are allowed on the trail provided Council’s rules and regulations are complied with.

There are sections of the trail along beaches where dogs can be off-leash at certain times, are prohibited at all times, or have limited access. Beaches where dogs are prohibited or have timeshare access include:

• Caseys Beach (prohibited at all times)
• Denhams Beach (timeshare)
• Surf Beach (prohibited at all times)
• Lilli Pilli Beach (timeshare)
• Mosquito Bay (timeshare)
• Garden Bay Beach (timeshare)
• Garden Bay Park (prohibited at all times)
• Malua Bay Beach (timeshare)
• Malua Bay reserve and playground (prohibited at all times)
• McKenzies Beach (prohibited at all times)

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, dog owners (visiting and local) must:

1. Microchip the dog/s.
2. Attach a tag with your address or phone number to the dog’s collar.
3. Keep your dog on a leash when it is outside your property, the leash must be held by someone who can always control the dog, and can only be off-lead in an off-lead zone identified by Council.
4. Pick up after your dog when it poops in a public place - this is the entire Coastal Headlands Walking Trail. Bins will be located along the route for waste disposal.
5. Make sure your dog does not enter school yards, shopping centres, or get within 10 metres of children’s play equipment.

Council has already conducted some field studies and provisional onsite reporting to identify areas needing erosion control measures, but this work will continue with the final planning and construction phases.

Erosion control measures that will be implemented across the trail include upgrading or replacing heavily eroded steps and installing drainage barriers across sections of the trail.

• Concept plan pages 112-116: examples of erosion control and drainage (9.1 MB)

As the concept plan was delivered in 2010 but had not yet started, this project was an excellent candidate to nominate for NSW and Federal Government grant schemes because of the significant concept planning already completed.

In 2021, Eurobodalla Shire Council was awarded four government grants to fund this project: Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund (Commonwealth and NSW Government), Building Better Regions Fund (Commonwealth Government), Bushfire Regional Tourism Fund (Commonwealth Government), and Stronger Country Communities Fund (NSW Government). Contributions from Batemans Bay Rotary Club and Council are funding the upgrade of Observation Point lookout.

Outcomes, deliverables, and timeframes for these grants are strict and Council must meet them to ensure funding now and for other projects in the future. As a result, Council was given a timeframe to complete the project and consultation was commenced as soon as possible.

To date, consultation has been undertaken with community groups, landowners and other stakeholders during the planning stages of this project. In October 2021, Council wrote to and invited feedback from landowners that are located directly adjacent to the trail. In-person meetings and follow up responses in writing and via phone has been undertaken with various individual residents.

Council continues to receive queries and representations regarding this project and will continue to consult with the community to ensure that all the views of our community are heard. Two options are initially available to residents unhappy with responses to their feedback:

• Email or phone your representative councillors
• Participate in a Public Access session. These are held monthly and offer the public an opportunity to present to Council.