A plan to upgrade recreational facilities at Dumaresq Dam is now on public exhibition.
The Dumaresq Dam Redevelopment Plan Stage 1 includes proposals for camp sites, shower and toilet facilities, a kiosk, new boat ramp and jetty.
"The vision is to create an environmentally friendly Regional Nature Conservation Park where the community and visitors alike could reconnect within the natural environment and participate in passive recreational activities," Council's Interim Administrator, Viv May, said.
"The limited camping area would include basic sites without power but would be accompanied by picnic shelters and barbecue facilities.
"An outdoor community stage and viewing platform at the water's edge are also included in the plan," Mr May said.
"We want to have the redevelopment plan finalised and adopted so we're ready to move when funding for the project becomes available."
The redevelopment plan was informed by a Dumaresq Dam Upgrade Plan which was adopted in 2016 and included extensive community consultation.
In 2018, Council commissioned Local Government Engineering Services (LGES) to undertake a precinct planning exercise and to provide detailed infrastructure designs for implementation.
LGES's recommendations and designs included separating camping sites and pedestrians from traffic movements, site drainage and the overall layout to maximise views of the dam from each of the facilities.
The investigations in 2018 also included assessments of biodiversity, cultural heritage and the need to upgrade electrical services.
The current plan focuses on the picnic area and entrance road. However, walking tracks and interpretive signage throughout the conservation reserve will also be upgraded when funding becomes available. The reserve will be managed for the conservation of wildlife habitat and as a critical linkage between core koala habitat to the west through to Mount Duval Nature Reserve to the north of the Dumaresq Dam reserve.
The BackTrack Youth Works program will play a pivotal role in managing the Dumaresq Dam Conservation Reserve.
"Dumaresq Dam is already a popular open space for family outings, walkers, recreational fishers and a wide variety of other users," Mr May said.
"There is so much potential for it to be even more of a jewel in our region and it's important that any major upgrade is guided by close liaison with the community."
The redevelopment plan is on public exhibition until 3 November and can be viewed on Council's Your Say Armidale website.
