Goorimahbah - Place of Stories Inclusive Park and Playspace will be an extensive upgrade to existing facilities, ensuring all children can play while welcoming all ages, abilities and cultures.
Council has secured funding to complete the first stage of works which are due to commence in early 2022.
Proposals for stage 1 works include:
- inclusive play equipment - including a flying fox, in-ground trampoline, carousel and basket swing
- new accessible seating, drinking fountains, barbeques and larger picnic facilities
- additional shade trees and built shade
- natural and sensory play elements, and
- small scale water play elements
As part of the concept plan, Council has worked with local Bundjalung artist Christine Slabb to include Aboriginal art, stories and colour within the playspace.
There are also proposals for a discovery trail of cultural elements throughout the playspace alongside native planting with educational signage.
The water play elements will include a water pump and an inclusive water and sand play table.
People are now encouraged to view the draft concept plan and give their feedback which will inform the final concept design.
Council is also hosting a community information session on Saturday 26 June 2021 from 9 am to 11 am at Jack Evans Boat Harbour precinct.
To view the draft concept plan, book into the community information session and/or leave feedback, visit www.yoursaytweed.com.au/goorimahbah
A second phase of works, which will require additional funding, could include a youth space, additional seating, picnic tables and barbeque facilities outside of the fenced playspace.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said she hoped residents would have their say on this exciting new regional park and playspace for Tweed Heads.
"Council is partnering with the community to ensure we develop an inclusive playspace which meets their needs and represents the uniqueness of the Tweed," she said.
"This new playspace will deliver a range of health, social, cultural and economic benefits - and is being developed at the same time we're making a range of playgrounds more inclusive in the Tweed.
"Over the past 3 years Council has received more than $500,000 through the NSW Government's Everyone Can Play grant program to build new inclusive playspaces in Fingal Head, Tweed Heads West and Banora Point as well as at Jack Evans Boat Harbour.
"By creating more opportunities for the community to be inclusive it helps to make the Tweed an even better place to live, work and visit."
The project has been funded under the NSW Government's Club GRANTS scheme and its Everyone Can Play grant program.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the Everyone Can Play program has been very popular.
"A total of $15 million has been invested since 2018 to deliver 108 new or improved accessible play spaces throughout NSW," Mr Stokes said.
"This fantastic program is also helping to build capability and capacity in local councils, and supporting the delivery of our Premier's priority to increase access to quality, walkable public space."
The project team has been working in partnership with Council's Equal Access Advisory Committee; Aboriginal Advisory Committee and the Tweed Shire Youth Council to develop a concept plan for the park over the past two years.
Council is also working alongside Variety - the Children's Charity NSW/ACT which provided a design grant of $30,000 to fund the draft concept plan. The playspace will form part of an Australia-wide network of Variety Livvi's Place Inclusive Playspaces.
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest MP said the partnership between the NSW Government and Tweed Shire Council was again delivering benefits to Tweed locals.
"From a state government perspective, helping Tweed Shire Council deliver better recreational facilities is just as important to us as delivering the massive new Tweed Valley Hospital, more police on the ground and the koala research centre," Mr Provest said.
"It is all about getting real money directed up here to help make the Tweed an even better place to work, live and play."
The upgrade of Goorimahbah - Place of Stories supports the recently adopted Jack Evans Boat Harbour Plan of Management which sets out the future planning and management of the precinct, and ensures the area is protected and used as the recreational and tourist centrepiece for Tweed Heads.
Proudly funded by the NSW Government, Variety - the Children's Charity NSW/ACT and Tweed Shire Council.
