The riverside Budd Park in Murwillumbah has been revamped and now offers an inclusive, flood-resilient space blending recreation, relaxation and resilience, fostering outdoor activity, social connection, and appreciation of the natural beauty along the Tweed River.
A major part of the project involved the demolition of the flood-prone World Heritage Rainforest Centre (formerly the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre), which had been severely damaged during the previous floods. The area once occupied by the building is now parkland, increasing public access to open space. The Visitor Information Centre has since relocated to the Murwillumbah Railway Station, a key access point for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Tweed Shire Council Mayor, Chris Cherry said that the revitalisation of Budd Park is an important step in our journey to recovery.
‘The revitalisation of this park, as you enter the township, is a symbol of the community’s resilience. It’s a place where we can come together, enjoy the outdoors and celebrate our shared spirit,’ she said.
‘The decision to remove the Rainforest Centre building prioritised safety and flood resilience for the future. We now invite the community to come down and enjoy this beautiful park.’
Upgraded features of Budd Park include:
- Demolition of the World Heritage Rainforest Centre and internal road
- Minor repairs to the public toilet
- Retention of the western car park, now with an accessible parking bay
- Resealing of the eastern car park and improved access to Tweed Valley Way
- Accessible shelters, barbecues, picnic tables, seating and bins
- New pathways, bike racks and a drinking fountain
- Informative flood markers and public art elements
- Landscaping and new tree plantings
Disaster resilience and flood-resistant design:
The Budd Park upgrade incorporates key resilience features, including:
- Use of flood-resilient materials
- Drainage improvements to manage water flow and reduce erosion
- Anchored structures to ensure safety during floods
- Quick-recovery designs with accessible routes for clean-up and repairs
‘As your local MP I’m proud to have delivered joint funding from the Federal and NSW governments towards revitalising Budd Park in Murwillumbah,’ said ustine Elliot, Federal Member for Richmond.
‘Following the 2022 floods the Albanese Labor Government committed to helping the North Coast build back better.
‘The completion of the Budd Park upgrades to make it more flood resilient is yet another example of us delivering on this commitment.’
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