ACQUIRING a fraction of the Port Kembla lease funds would kick off the establishment of a new escarpment walking track boasting numerous benefits for the region, the Albion Park Chamber of Commerce believes.
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In May, the state government announced the Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund.
The $100 million fund was established to assist priority public infrastructure projects in the region, using proceeds from the 99-year lease of Port Kembla.
The chamber has lodged an expression of interest for funding to develop the Illawarra Escarpment Walking Track - Macquarie Pass Section.
According to the chamber, this section is the first part of a larger vision to develop a walking trail that will run from Stanwell Park in the north to Cambewarra in the south.
The expression of interest requests an initial $1m from the Restart NSW fund to develop the track along the escarpment.
The proposed Macquarie Pass Section is a scenic walking track along the approximate municipal boundary of the Shire of Wingecarribee and Shellharbour Council, weaving around the edge of Macquarie Pass National Park.
The duration of the whole walk will vary from three to six hours.
Jim McCallum, chamber president as well as chair of Destination Shellharbour and South Coast Regional Tourism board member said the proposal had the support of both bodies, Shellharbour City Council and Wingecarribee Shire Council as well as Bushwalking Australia.
Mr McCallum said the funding would enable a study of the requirements for track head work, as well as track infrastructure including safety rails and swing bridges over the three waterfalls.
The proposal would have benefits for employment, tourism and health, he said.
"The development of the walking track is seen as a contributor to the local tourism service market as well as providing a catalyst for new business investment within the region.
"The track would be spectacular by national standards and a major recreational and tourism attraction for our region."
Mr McCallum said it would complement the city's existing tourism drawcards.
"It might encourage people to stay a little longer [in the region] ... This area, we don't take advantage of our natural habitat.
"We have spectacular cliff-top views. There's nothing quite like it in Australia that I've seen; it's unique that we have mountains so close to the ocean on such a large stretch.
"The community is very much behind it."
Expressions of interest closed on July 12.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward said that of more than 90 applications received, they were seeking economic "game-changers". The key criteria were economic growth and job generation.
Projects must be located in the Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee local government areas.
Infrastructure NSW will determine the successful projects.
Minister for the Illawarra Greg Pearce nominated Colin Bloomfield, Gerard Sutton and Alex Darling to serve on the government's Illawarra Assessment Panel.
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson slammed the panel as a "self-appointed boys' club".
"The government has delivered a slap in the face to women in the Illawarra by nominating three retired men to positions on its self-appointed Illawarra Assessment Panel," she said.
"This assessment process should have been done by the RDA Illawarra and RDA Far South Coast, whose boards do include capable women in the region."
Mr Ward dismissed the comments as "rather childish".
Shortlisted applications will be announced next month, and successful projects in late 2013.
