A NEW 1.5 kilometre walking track in Cooranbong will not only provide physical activity benefits but also protect biological diversity, say the brothers responsible for its opening last month.

Darren and Jason Morton opened the 1.5km Sandy Creek Walk to the community during a ceremony near the Swing Bridge on Avondale Estate.

The track begins at the bridge on the north bank of Dora Creek and ends behind Avondale College women's residence Ella Boyd Hall on the west bank of Jigadee Creek.

"I love to run, and when I first came to Avondale 15 years ago I discovered what a great resource we have here," says Darren, a senior health and exercise science lecturer in the Faculty of Education.

"However, the track did not exist in any formal way and few people used it. Now we hope it becomes a resource not only for staff and students at Avondale but also for those in the community."

Darren's brother Jason, a lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, wanted to fence and weed the track to help protect biological diversity.

Jason applied successfully for a $20,000 grant from the HunterCentral Rivers Catchment Management Authority and used the money to build three kilometres of fencing and to clear lantana.

The brothers completed the work in 10 months.