A favourite spot to take the kids, a chance to relax and enjoy the water in Kingscliff is the Cudgen Foreshore Park and Ed Parker Rotary Park at Kingscliff and Tweed Shire Council (TSC) are asking the public for their ideas on the draft concept plans to upgrade car parks.
Located on the northern bank of Cudgen Creek at Kingscliff, the upgrades are designed to enhance the recreation and aesthetic qualities of the parks while improving traffic flow and providing designated parking areas.
Both parks are located along Sutherland Street and provide important access to viewing opportunities and enjoyment of Cudgen Creek.
Residents are invited to find out more and discuss the upgrades with Council staff at Cudgen Foreshore Park in Kingscliff on Saturday 10 August, from 9 am to 11 am.
The upgrades, which combined will cost $1.02 million, form part of a $15.5 million funding package from the Australian and NSW governments to help restore and improve community assets in the Tweed that have been storm or flood damaged.
The proposal for the car park at Cudgen Foreshore Park includes asphalting the internal road and creating parking spaces, installing rocks and bollards to manage vehicle movement, new connecting pathways, upgrading the picnic facilities and minor drainage improvements. At Ed Parker Rotary Park the car park will be redesigned by removing the turning circle and asphalting the parking spaces and internal road to a cul-de-sac at the northern end.
Council’s Manager Parks & Active Communities Murray Smith said asphalting the car parks will improve the sites by providing a smoother, more durable surface that reduces dust and mud, enhances drainage, and offers safer, more organised parking for residents and visitors.
‘Council has faced ongoing issues with hooning behaviour at Cudgen Foreshore Park, which has led to significant environmental damage and safety concerns. Reckless driving has destroyed vegetation and wildlife habitats, causing extensive damage to turf areas and noise negatively impacting surrounding residents,’ Mr Smith said.
‘The impact of these activities necessitates the exclusion of vehicles in some areas during rehabilitation and repair efforts to restore the park to a safe and enjoyable state for the community. We will incorporate bollards, a mix of trees, mounded shrubs, plantings, and rocks to exclude vehicles. Over time, we will gradually remove some of the bollards and rocks as the trees grow strong enough to serve as natural barriers.
‘At Ed Parker Rotary Park, Council proposes to asphalt the internal road and the existing car parking spaces, complete with line marking. Currently, only half of the parking area is asphalted, with the remainder consisting of road base, which often develops significant potholes, particularly after wet weather.
‘The proposed plan involves removing the central turning loop and creating a cul-de-sac at the northern end of the park. Sections of the loop road will be converted back to parkland, enhancing the recreational and aesthetic qualities of the park while improving traffic flow and access.’
Proposed works at Cudgen Foreshore Park include:
· Asphalt internal road and asphalt parking spaces
· Install rocks and bollards to manage vehicle movement
· Accessible parking bay
· Connecting footpaths to picnic facilities and the public toilet
· New accessible shelter and picnic settings
· Installation of stormwater headwalls to help manage stormwater
· Installation of a rainwater garden to capture and absorb rainwater
· Speed humps for traffic calming
· Retain the existing Bush Stone-curlew nest and habitat area
· Additional tree planting
· Future works will include aluminium access stairs (not funded through this program).
Proposed works at Ed Parker Rotary Park include:
· Redesign the car park section with a cul-de-sac at the northern end.
· Asphalt car parking spaces
· Concrete edging
· Connecting paths
· Install rocks and bollards to manage vehicle movement
· Accessible parking bay and connecting concrete footpath
· Speed humps for traffic calming
· Additional tree planting.
Under the same funding program Sutherland Point Park and Robert Dixon Park are slated to undergo minor enhancements, pending approvals:
· New accessible picnic table
· New accessible barbecue and shelter with lighting
· New drinking fountain
· New connecting path to roadway
· New beach shower
· Minor returfing
· Native tree planting.
The draft concept plans will be on public exhibition until 4 pm on 26 August 2024. View the concept plans and have your say at yoursaytweed.com.au/cudgenforeshoreandedparkerparks.
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