Council is seeking community feedback on draft concept plans to upgrade Turnock Park and John Oxley Park at Chinderah, designed to make them more flood resilient, welcoming and accessible.
Both parks are located along Chinderah Bay Drive and boast spectacular views along the Tweed River.
Residents are invited to find out more and discuss the upgrades with Council staff at a free barbecue breakfast at Turnock Park on Sunday 21 July, from 9 am to 11 am.
The upgrades, which combined will cost $1.4 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 Turnock Park includes plans for new play equipment, toilet and car park. John Oxley Park will see the demolition of the existing public toilet and shelters to make way for an accessible unisex public toilet and picnic area. Both parks were inundated in the 2022 floods.
Council's Manager Parks and Active Communities Murray Smith said the projects would ensure Turnock Park and John Oxley Park were safer, more inviting and continue to support the health and wellbeing of Chinderah's residents and visitors.
"During the February 2002 flood, floodwater inundated Turnock Park, causing substantial damage to the park's internal access road and car park. The upgrade of Turnock Park including the playground and public toilets is a high priority in Council's Open Space Strategy," Mr Smith said.
"Turnock Park will see a new themed play space, new public toilets and park facilities designed to be more flood resilient, welcoming and accessible for everyone to enjoy. The internal car park will be repaired and resurfaced, providing a new access via Chinderah Bay Drive.
"Located along the southern shoreline of the Tweed River, next to the popular Chinderah boat ramp, the public toilet at John Oxley Park as well as, its fixtures and fittings, was damaged in the floods.
"The upgraded John Oxley Park will become more inviting, offering better opportunities to view the river."
Proposed works at Turnock Park include:
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new play equipment and swings for children aged 2- to 13 years
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nature play new toilet block with one unisex accessible toilet, one male toilet and one female ambulant toilet
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accessible barbecue, picnic tables and shelters
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seating and drinking fountain
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connecting pathways
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ornamental entrance
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asphalt car park with an accessible parking space
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existing vehicle entrance to be relocated to Chinderah Bay Drive
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drainage improvements.
Proposed works at John Oxley Park include:
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demolition of existing public toilet block and shelters
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installation of one unisex accessible public toilet
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park shelters (one large and one small)
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picnic tables
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linking pathways
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rubbish bins.
Council will host a consultation event at Turnock Park and invites residents to attend a free barbecue breakfast on Sunday 21 July, from 9 am to 11 am.
This will be an opportunity for residents to discuss ideas for both Turnock Park and John Oxley Park with Council staff and provide feedback on the draft plans.
The draft concept plans will be on public exhibition until 4 pm on 24 July 2024. View the concept plan and have your say at yoursaytweed.com.au/turnock-park and yoursaytweed.com.au/john-oxley-park
