Member for Oxley, the Hon. Melinda Pavey said the Urunga Sea Lido was an important social, cultural and recreational facility enjoyed by many residents of and visitors to Urunga over the years.
"I have advocated for the restoration of the Lido on behalf of the community and I am happy to be announcing its completion," Ms Pavey said.
"The whole community has been united in their desire to see a Lido reinstalled and I am proud to see families now being able to enjoy this amazing area even more.
"The NSW Government, which is committed to improving regional communities and visitor economies, has contributed more than half a million-dollars to this important local project which will make Urunga shine."
The $535,000 in funding Reflections received from the NSW Government's Restart NSW Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund has allowed the installation of:
- A 40-metre long, 1800-wide jetty boardwalk with access directly from the grassed area adjacent to a newly-constructed beach retaining wall.
- An attached floating pontoon with an aluminium ramp access located adjacent to the boardwalk together with stainless steel ladder access.
- A separate floating pontoon located approximately 25 metres from the jetty boardwalk
- Viewing platform at the end of the jetty boardwalk
- Two beach access ramps to the beach and swimming area.
Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Steve Edmonds said he was pleased to see this important public facility already being enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the area.
"We know that the entire Urunga Community has been passionate about a new Lido since it was removed decades ago, and our successful application for grant funding from the NSW Government combined with Bellingen Shire Council's contribution, has allowed this to happen," Mr Edmonds said.
"Our surplus funds are invested across the Group's holiday and community parks, and we rely on Grant Funding to make critical projects like the new Urunga Lido a reality."
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The original popular concrete Lido (boardwalk) was removed by the Urunga Reserve Trust back in the 90's due to serious degradation of the structure caused by 'concrete cancer'. With the help of NSW Government Grant Funding, Reflections Holiday Parks and Bellingen Shire Council have been able rebuild a new Lido for future generations to enjoy.
Mr Edmonds said the concept was to build an accessible, boardwalk=style facility with a floating pontoon that complemented the already stunning swimming area at Urunga.
"We wanted to create a swimming pool within nature and reinstate the historical swimming structure known as the Lido, in a way that people could connect to," Mr Edmonds said.
"We use nature to create experiences that delight and in all of our projects we work off the credo that 'nature never felt so good."
Mr Edmonds said Bellingen Shire Council was instrumental in being able to transform the facility and create the final natural swimming pool that locals love.
"Council has provided invaluable support at all stages of this project and was responsible for the dredging works last year which ensured that a swimming hole with a suitable depth could be created," Mr Edmonds said.
"Without Bellingen Shire Council this project would never have been completed in time for summer."
