As a local resident, I've witnessed our local council's spending habits over the years. Money has been poured into projects in other areas while our suburbs have been overlooked. Our communities of Coal Point, Carey Bay and Kilaben Bay pay some of the highest average rates in all of Lake Macquarie yet we lack footpaths. This absence poses a significant risk to our children who are forced to ride on roads and to the elderly or those with infants.

Our request is simple - we need footpaths. They are not just a convenience but a necessity for safety, accessibility and promoting a healthy lifestyle within our community. We believe it's time that some of our rates be invested back into these suburbs that contribute so much financially to Lake Macquarie.

We urge you to consider this petition seriously as local government elections approach this September. Let's make safer commuting not just an aspiration but a reality for residents in Coal Point, Carey Bay and Kilaben Bay.

Please sign this petition if you agree that it's time for change – it’s time for footpaths!