Kingscliff’s CBD foreshore area is set for a major facelift with almost $10 million in federal funding announced toward a $21 million project to protect and revitalise the area and build a new central park.
Works under the project include the building of a permanent seawall to protect the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club from erosion caused by storm events and projected sea level rises.
Tweed Shire Council’s general manager Troy Green welcomed the $9.81 million funding for the foreshore upgrade under the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF), saying it would enable council to forge ahead with a project that had been 10 years in the making.
‘The $21.2 million Kingscliff Foreshore Project will establish essential protection for infrastructure along a section of the coastline, redevelop and modernise the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and create a central park to become a real social hub for the town,’ Mr BGreen said.
‘Council has liaised closely with the public, particularly during an engagement campaign in 2011, to identify community priorities for the foreshore redevelopment and help design the central park. However, these visions could not be realised without a major injection of government funds, so we are thrilled by today’s news.’
Mr Green said the project would feature best-practice design to protect the natural environment, while protecting the foreshore buildings and seamlessly linking the beach with Kingscliff Central Park and neighbouring businesses.
Tweed Coast Holiday Parks will contribute $7.5 million towards the project, which includes modernising the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park’s facilities and range of services to better meet the changing demands of people holidaying in the town.
The holiday park will be reduced in size to create space for a 10,000m2 central park to include an open space to host events, children’s play areas, barbecue facilities, shelters, toilets and change-room facilities.
‘It will be a jewel in Kingscliff’s foreshore parklands and will bring many of Kingscliff’s attractions together – its beautiful beach, thriving cafés and other businesses on Marine Parade and the popular coastal cycleway,’ he said.
‘This is an exciting development for the whole Tweed Shire because Kingscliff is a popular destination for many Tweed residents and brings many other visitors to our area.’
Richmond MP Justine Elliot congratulated Tweed Shire Council, Kingscliff Chamber of Commerce and the community groups and residents ‘who have fought so hard for this funding’.
‘This project has overwhelming local support and I’ve strongly fought for our community to have this federal funding delivered,’ Mrs Elliot said.
Other projects in the Tweed funded under the program include $28,000 for the Seagulls Club for a $86,500 project to develop a village green in Tweed Heads West for the community to use for sports and recreation.
You are not thinking of the people, where do you councillors holiday?. The average family wont have a beach holiday anymore, where will they stay, beachfront Coolangatta costs between $3,500 to $5,500 a week over Xmas & Holiday seasons.
There is enough foreshore parks along the coast. More work for council cleaning, stupid gas barbeques that are not hot enough to cook on. Rubbish left in the parks etc. You might all be on the take from the developers of highrise.
What has happened to the other caravan park up the road is not pretty, Campers have more money to spend on eating out, and support local business, but you will be wining and dining elsewhere so you don’t care, you don’t work for the people only your own pockets