Budd Park upgrade

The World Heritage Rainforest Centre, also known as the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre, was inundated in both the 2017 and 2022 floods, resulting in substantial damage to the building and its surroundings.

In response to these recurring challenges, Council has made the decision to remove the flood-prone building to prioritise public safety and mitigate future risks associated with its vulnerable location.

The removal of the flood-prone building opens opportunities for revitalisation and redevelopment of Murwillumbah’s Budd Park. The area occupied by the building and the internal car park will be repurposed as parkland, enhancing access to quality public open space for residents and visitors.

This transformation will create a vibrant community hub that promotes outdoor activities and social interaction, significantly improving the area's aesthetic and recreational value.

Project schedule

• Planning: Late 2024
• Demolition: Late 2024
• Construction: Early 2025

What's involved

• Demolition of the World Heritage Rainforest Centre and internal road
• Retain the existing public toilets
• Retain the western car park with an additional accessible parking bay
• Reduce the size of the eastern car park by 5 spaces, reseal the car park, and enable entry and exit onto Tweed Valley Way.
• Accessible shelters, barbeques and picnic tables and seating
• Connecting pathways
• Bike racks
• Drinking fountain
• Rubbish bins
• Informative flood markers
• Painting of the existing feature pole
• Landscaping and tree planting

Why it's happening

The decision to demolish the World Heritage Rainforest Centre has arisen from the need to address public safety and the risk of future flooding.

Frequent flood events have caused significant damage to the building including its fixtures and footings, air conditioning units, electrical and plumbing systems, making it unsafe for occupancy. Engineers found ground movement, changes in concrete path levels, drainage issues, and pooling underneath the building, which could affect the structural foundations. There is also termite and wet rot damage. Due to its flood-prone location the building is now uninsurable, placing a financial burden on Council. 

Please consult the FAQs for additional details on the condition of the building and the planned works.

In addition to safety concerns, the economic implications of maintaining a flood-prone building are substantial. Repeated flood damage necessitates costly repairs and maintenance, diverting funds from other vital community projects and services. 

Council has determined that the building will not be reinstated following the 2022 floods. This presents opportunities to deliver modern, resilient infrastructure that can better withstand future weather events.

The Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre has been relocated and is now conveniently situated at Murwillumbah Railway Station at the trail head of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

How it’s getting done

Budget: $999,870

Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

View all funded projects

Location

3 Alma Street, Murwillumbah 2484  View in Google Maps

Contact details