Tweed Shire Council is pleased to announce Crabbes Creek Community Hall has officially reopened following upgrades to improve its safety, accessibility and flood resilience.
The $538,560 project was delivered as part of the $15.5 million Community Assets Program, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), to restore and enhance community infrastructure damaged by storms and floods.
In July 2024, Council asked the community for feedback on the hall's draft concept plan. This feedback helped shape the final concept plan which was released later that year.
The completed upgrades have delivered a more inclusive, flood-resilient space ready to serve as a safe and accessible space for gatherings, events, and activities for years to come.
The hall—which has been part of the town since 1908—was officially reopened on 30 June with a small celebration hosted by the Crabbes Creek Hall Committee, attended by Council staff and Mayor of Tweed Shire, Chris Cherry.
Key changes to the hall
The hall's transformation focused on implementing flood-resistant materials and design elements to minimise future flood impacts, following damage during the 2022 flood event.
The refurbishment has embraced access and inclusion by incorporating features such as accessible toilets, accessible car park and linking pathways, ensuring that the hall remains welcoming to all members of the community.
The addition of an accessible public toilet will also offer essential amenities for visitors and users of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the Crabbes Creek Hall upgrades mean the local community now has a safer, stronger and more accessible place to gather, whether it's to provide support during emergencies or to celebrate milestones together.
"This investment is about giving communities the confidence that they have a welcoming, resilient space to lean on when times get tough and when they want to come together and reconnect," Minister McBain said.
"The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with the NSW Government and local councils to deliver practical projects like this that strengthen local resilience and protect the places that bring people together."
Federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot said upgrading Crabbes Creek Hall to be more accessible and flood resilient ensures our community can enjoy a vibrant local hall for years to come.
"As your local MP I'm proud to be delivering more than $500,000 in joint funding from the Federal and NSW Governments for the upgrade of Crabbes Creek Hall."
"The Albanese Government continues to work closely with the NSW Government and our local councils to deliver practical projects to help the North Coast build back better," Ms Elliot said.
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said the upgraded hall was a valuable investment in the community's long-term resilience and wellbeing.
"The reopening of Crabbes Creek Hall marks a meaningful step in our community's flood recovery journey," Cr Cherry said.
"This upgrade not only restores a vital place to get together to connect and celebrate but ensures it's safer, more accessible and better equipped to serve residents well into the future."
Council's Manager Inclusive and Creative Communities, Shannon Carruth said the works have transformed the much-loved local facility into a safer and more inclusive space for gatherings, events and everyday community use.
"Crabbes Creek Hall holds an important place in the community, and these upgrades ensure its position as a welcoming and functional space that supports the local community to thrive," Ms Carruth said.
"Additions such as the new battery system not only improves the hall's environmental sustainability but also enhances its ability to operate independently during emergencies, such as power outages caused by severe weather events."
Crabbes Creek Hall Committee President Reg Robinson said he and the Committee were truly grateful for the hall's transformation and what it meant to the community.
"This funding has not only improved the hall's functionality and safety but also breathed new life into a space that means so much to our town. It's more than just a building — it's where we gather, celebrate, connect, and support one another," Mr Robinson said.
Upgraded features of Crabbes Creek Community Hall include:
- Refurbishment of the hall's exterior and interior spaces
- Accessible parking space
- New unisex accessible public toilet
- Unisex accessible toilet and male and female ambulant toilets for hall users
- New connecting pathways and bike rack
- New water tanks and relocated sewer system
- Solar panel works and installation of new battery system
The reopened hall is already being enjoyed by local groups and visitors alike, providing a resilient, community-focused space that supports connection, creativity and celebration.
