Part of Kingscliff’s business centre could have a major facelift by the end of the year, after Tweed Shire Councillors voted unanimously to put a plan for its improvement on public exhibition.
Under the plan, developed by council officers in consultation with the Kingscliff Chamber of Commerce, Marine Parade could become a one-way street between Turnock Street and the fig tree roundabout at Seaview Street.
Mayor, Councillor Barry Longland, said the plans for the foreshore redevelopment would go on display on Council’s website as well as the Kingscliff Library and the Shire offices in Murwillumbah and Tweed.
He said the plans would be on display for 28 days. Council staff would also be meeting with all business owners in the affected area to discuss any concerns – including the placing of loading bays.
The plan will see traffic restricted to one way – heading south from Turnock Street as well as the creation of more than 70 new parking spots along the street and the beautification of the streetscape as well as measures to ensure better road safety. It will include removing all of the large pots that surround outdoor areas and replacing them with planted trees.
Addressing the Kingscliff Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday morning before the vote, council engineer Warren Boyd told chamber members the project would cost $600,000 to complete and council already had $650,000 at its disposal from development contributions for parking in the region, meaning they could go forward with the plan as soon as they had the go-ahead.
The Chamber meeting unanimously voted to back the plan, with president Dennis Eyre predicting it could take just nine weeks to complete.
“Hopefully it could be in place by the Christmas rush,” he said.
Local business owner Gary Barlow of Tango Gelato, which will be one of the premises affected by the changes, was also pleased with the proposal.
“I’m all for a better streetscaping and more parking,” the icecream shop proprietor said.
