Old Bexhill Bricks Quarry to be assessed for future parkland use

Funds to investigate the old Bexhill Bricks Quarry to see whether it can be transformed into a family-friendly native parklands have been announced by NSW Lismore MP Janelle Saffin.

Her office said in media release she secured the $10,000 state government grant and ‘strongly supported the Bexhill Quarry Parklands Association Limited’s recreational tourism project, one which had the potential to directly link with a future stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail’.

‘Association President Des Harris and his committee have generated a lot of interest and support for their concept of an attraction featuring a sheltered picnic area, interpretive centre, native bush walking trails, safe swimming area and carparking,’ Ms Saffin said.

‘This grant will allow the Association to hire Newcastle-based consultants Integrated Environmental Management Australia (IEMA) to run a workshop of stakeholders, provide an opportunity for community input, and develop an action plan for addressing and closing out risks.

‘The Association had raised $2,000 through meat raffles at the Eltham Hotel and a further $2,000 from the Greater Bank, but the $10,000 grant will bring the Bexhill Quarry Parklands one step closer to becoming a reality.’

Mr Harris said the Association was extremely keen to work in partnership with the traditional owners of the land, the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation and to follow proper planning processes.

‘We are grateful to Janelle Saffin for believing in our project and for successfully lobbying for this critical grant funding,’ Mr Harris said.

The project is also supported by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, Lismore City Council, Boatharbour Landcare, Eltham Community Foundation, Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Destination NSW and Northern Rivers Tourism.