State Labor politicians have officially welcomed two upgraded playgrounds and a new hospital built in the Tweed Shire.
The $723-million-dollar Tweed Valley Hospital in Cudgen isn’t due to open until mid-May but operators received around 5,000 curious visitors from the public on Saturday as part of an open day.
Labor spokesperson for Tweed and NSW upper house member Emily Suvaal was at the event to represent the government and helped cut ribbon to celebrate the playground upgrades in the same weekend.
Nationals Member for Tweed Geoff Provest and Deputy Mayor of Tweed Shire Meredith Dennis joined Ms Suvaal at the Tweed Heads Recreation Ground for the latter event.
Works on the upgraded park were completed and opened to the public in late December 2023, ‘in time for the busy summer holiday season and much to the delight of children and families in the region’, a Tweed Shire Council media release said.
The $1 million playground upgrades included:
- New play equipment for children aged 2 to 12-years-old
- swings
- nature play with teepee
- bouldering wall
- basketball key
- built shade structure and umbrellas
- accessible barbecue
- picnic setting and seating
- landscaping and additional tree planting
- new accessible amenities block
- an accessible parking space and linking pathways.
The council said the upgrade was funded via a $400,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Fund and $200,000 through its Everyone Can Play grant alongside $400,000 of council funds.
Deputy Mayor Meredith Dennis said the project was especially important given the projected population growth of Tweed Heads.
The council said a fenced off-leash dog area was also proposed for the rec ground but was currently unfunded.
The council quoted NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully saying it was important to support additional growth in areas such as the Tweed Shire by delivering critical infrastructure and high-quality open space to unlock new housing supply.
Federal member helps launch skate park upgrade
Meanwhile, Federal Labor Member for Richmond and Assistant Minister for Social Services Justine Elliot helped launch a youth recreation area at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, also upgraded last December.
That project includes:
- small-scale skate elements
- a basketball key
- s-shape seating
- additional pathways
- shade umbrellas
- informal seating
- a drinking fountain
- tree planting
- facilities for picnicking
- landscaping improvements.
Well-known local Bundjalung artist Christine Slabb collaborated with artist Shmick to create public art for the youth recreation area.
The Tweed Shire Council said Stage 2 of the Jack Evans Harbour project was funded via $435,000 from the federal government, matching council contributions.
The NSW Government contributed $100,000 through its Stronger Country Communities Fund – Round 4 for a basketball key and flying fox in the nearby play space at Goorimahbah – Place of Stories.
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