Kingscliff Foreshore Revitalisation to start next week
23 January 2017
$21.8 million investment to protect and enhance jewel of Tweed coast
A $21.8 million project to protect and enhance the Kingscliff central foreshore will get underway next week.
Tweed construction company SEE Civil has been engaged as the project contractor and will move onto the site on 1 February to begin preparation for the three-stage project, which will construct a more permanent seawall, upgrade and reduce the size of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and construct a new Kingscliff Central Park.
“It is exciting to see the Kingscliff Foreshore Revitalisation becoming reality after years of planning,” Council’s Director Community and Natural Resources, Tracey Stinson, said.
“In the late 1990s, the community indicated it wanted more open space between the Kingscliff beach and central business district. Kingscliff Central Park will be a social hub providing stronger links between businesses and the beach, with stunning ocean views and improved access. Those community discussions in the 1990s also recognised that many of the facilities at the holiday park were reaching the end of their lifespan and the park was in need of an upgrade to meet current standards and the needs of modern users.”
A series of coastal hazard studies that started in 2000 identified a more permanent rock wall was necessary to protect the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park, Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club and nearby roads, private property and other infrastructure from erosion and other coastal processes.
“The sea wall, holiday park upgrade and central park all link together as pieces of a puzzle to protect and further build upon one of the jewels of the Tweed Coast,” Ms Stinson said.
“The Federal Government’s very welcome announcement in December 2015, that it would provide $9.81 million through the National Stronger Regions Fund, was the final piece to bring it all together and enable the project to go ahead.”
Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Trust is contributing $7.5 million and Council is providing $3.5 million to the project, which is scheduled to start after the summer school holidays – to minimise the impact on Kingscliff’s valuable holiday tourism – and is expected to take 18 months to complete.
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park will close temporarily during the upgrade and park management are liaising with the remaining long-term site holders to assist their move out of the park by 30 January.
“The holiday park is an iconic part of Kingscliff and this upgrade will ensure it can continue to be a high-quality destination for years to come,” Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Unit Coordinator Andrew Illingworth said.
“We have many valued occupants and we have been liaising with them for a number of years to keep them informed about the upgrade, which is necessary for the holiday park’s ongoing viability and to accommodate the community’s desire for a neighbouring central park.”
Fencing will be erected between Marine Parade and the foreshore revitalisation worksite, and down to the foreshore, from 1 February so Holiday Parks staff can start removing existing Holiday Park infrastructure. Once that is completed, the contractor is scheduled to start construction work on 13 February, beginning with Stage 1 to construct the sea wall.
Council and the contractors are implementing a number of measures to minimise the effects of dust and other impacts on residents and businesses throughout the construction period.
Ms Stinson said: “We will be meeting personally with business operators and residents during the coming days to talk about truck movements and other matters involved with the project.”
For further information, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/KingscliffForeshore