Bega Valley Shire Council manager of leisure and recreation services, John Grady, made the long-awaited announcement following a community information session at Eden Log Cabin on Thursday.

The information session was held to inform the community of the last steps towards completion of the four-kilometre scenic trail.

“When complete it will provide more than four kilometres of accessible trails through some unique and environmentally valuable areas," Mr Grady said.

“To date more than three kilometres of track is complete, which is the result of Council and community partnerships spanning the past 10 years.

Eden Foreshore Landcare coordinator Mike Stebbings said it appeared "incessant pressure" on the council by the Eden Foreshores Committee and now the landcare group over the past 18 months may have finally paid for the people of Eden.

Mr Stebbings said a yes/no survey - asking people if they supported the walkway - collected 650 signatures of support in less than three weeks.

Not one person was against the proposal, he said.

A copy of the survey was handed to the council's group manager planning environment Andrew Woodley at the community drop-in session with the original being forwarded to the council's general manager Leanne Barnes.

Mr Stebbings said that if Eden was to become an economically viable tourist hub, features such as the Lake Walk, Foreshore remediation, streetscape upgrade, Bundian Way, a resort, and the work carried by the stalwarts from Port of Eden Marine (POEM) and cruise promoters, are all necessary to cater for the visitors to the town.  

“The only problem is that we may need some other features from council such as additional public toilets  to cater for the tourists, many of whom are elderly,” he said.

Mr Stebbings said that as far back as 1988, Eden residents had  advised various authorities that a walking track around the northern section of Lake Curalo was a major priority.

"There has been constant wrangling over bureaucratic responsibilities, with the various developers of Eden Cove indicating provision of the facility as part of the council's development requirements," Mr Stebbing said.

"Nine years have passed with the establishment of Eden Cove and there has been no compliance from council on the matter, therefore it was considered unfair by the landcare group that Eden, overall, should miss out on such a much desired commodity for such a long period," he said.

Mr Stebbings said various meetings with council had been held in the past, including a meeting between landcare and council in November last year at which it was agreed that a more communicative and positive process take place with a meeting scheduled for the New Year.   

This ultimately was amended by council to a community forum in March, which was then changed to the drop-in session at the Log Cabin last week.

"Hopefully now the northern Lake Curalo foreshore will be enhanced with improved access ways from Eden Cove, vehicular access, along with viewing platforms and bird hides around the lake similar to the existing boardwalk," he said.

Mr Grady said the areas completed include long runs of raised board walk, raised viewing platforms overlooking the lake, access to amenities, links to the Eden Whale Trail, and parking at Aslings Beach, Barclay Street Sportsground, and the Eden Scout Hall.

“The final kilometre of path that links the northern Eden Cove subdivision section to the southern section requires careful consideration of the sensitive wetland environment," Mr Grady said.

“Sub-surface investigations for engineering designs have been conducted and several longer span bridges to cross creek lines are required along with an easement over a section of private property. 

“A lot of background work on these issues has been going on over the past 6-12 months and it is expected this phase will be competed in the next few weeks.

“We hope to have contractors on site within a few months and construction of the pathway should be completed by late August 2015,” he said.