LYNE MP Dr David Gillespie and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Mayor Peter Besseling had a couple of double acts to perform last week.
The pair offiically cut the ribbons together last Wednesday to mark the completion of stage one of improvements to the iconic Town Beach Reserve and also officially opened the new Koolongbung Creek footbridge in Port Macquarie.
The upgrade to Port Macquarie’s iconic Town Beach Reserve consists of a new concrete path adjacent to the rock wall at the northern end of Town Beach, replacement of part of the existing path with coloured concrete, picnic shelters, park benches, garbage bin enclosures and a new judging platform.
The total cost of the reserve improvements was $400,000, funded via a grant from the Federal Government’s Regional Communities Initiative.
The council instigated these improvements in response to the growing recreational demand by members of the community and visitors.
Mayor Peter Besseling said the reserve had become run down over time and needed attention to improve the overall amenity.
“The improvements to our Town Beach Reserve means the area is now a better place for families and visitors to stay and play – encouraging a healthier and more prosperous Port Macquarie,” Cr Besseling said.
The $1.2 million Kooloonbung Creek footbridge on the foreshore of the Port Macquarie CBD is a 2.5 metre wide single-span cable-stay bridge on the Hastings River side of the Buller Street bridge.
Construction of the footbridge began nearly a year ago and it has been in use by the public since December.
It was built to provide a link between Westport Park and the Town Green and a safer pedestrian crossing of Kooloonbung Creek.
This project wass also funded by the Federal Government via a grant from the Regional Communities Initiative and a $600,000 contribution from Port Macquarie CBD property owners through the Port Macquarie Town Centre Master Plan.
