Demolition of a house in South Coogee has begun, clearing the way for a new section of the Coastal Walkway that will provide a public connection between Cuzco Street and the coastline near Lurline Bay.
Read: Decades Later, Ellen Waugh to be Honoured in Upcoming Coogee Walkway Expansion Plans
The work marks the first stage of Randwick City’s project to address a longstanding gap in the walking route between South Coogee and Maroubra. The property, at 49 Cuzco Street, was purchased by Randwick in late 2024 to make the proposed connection possible.
Walkers currently have to leave the coastal route and head inland along Malabar Road before rejoining the path. The detour covers approximately 640 metres and takes pedestrians uphill, making it a noticeable interruption to the coastal journey.
The new public access connection is intended to remove that diversion and bring the walking route closer to the coastline. It will link the eastern end of Cuzco Street with Seaside Parade, providing access towards Lurline Bay.
The property acquisition followed a lengthy arrangement between the council and former owner Ellen Waugh OAM, a local artist and historical society president. Her family home was built by her father in the 1930s, and the land was rezoned as open space in 2012.
Ms Waugh continued living in the house until her death in January 2024, two months short of her 100th birthday. Randwick City said she had declined repeated offers from developers because she wanted the coastline she loved to become accessible to the wider community.
The council has acknowledged her contribution to making the public connection possible, describing the project as part of her lasting legacy to the area.
Two stages for the walkway project
The demolition is part of a two-stage delivery process outlined by Randwick City. Stage One involves removing the house and preparing the site during November 2026. Environmental controls are being put in place to protect the surrounding coastal environment, and the work area will remain fenced while the demolition proceeds.
Stage Two covers the design and construction of the new walkway. The council currently lists this stage as planned for 2027. The project will not immediately provide a new walking route while the demolition is underway. People using the Coastal Walkway should continue following the signed detour along Malabar Road until the new connection is ready.
The Cuzco Street works also form part of a broader effort to improve continuity along Sydney’s eastern coastal walking route. Randwick has been investigating options around Lurline Bay, where wave action and storm conditions present additional engineering challenges.
A June 2026 council update said hydraulic testing was being carried out at the Lurline Bay rock platforms to help assess conditions for a safe and reliable walkway connection between South Coogee and Maroubra. The Cuzco Street project is therefore an important step, but it does not mean the entire coastal route is complete. Further work will be needed to progress the wider connection.
Read: South Coogee to Maroubra Coastal Walkway Reopens
After years of negotiations over the property, demolition has finally moved the Cuzco Street proposal from planning towards construction. The next milestone will be the design and building of the public access link, with 2027 identified as the current target year for that stage.
Published 14-November-2026
