By TANIA PHILLIPS
THE Norries Headland boardwalk extension and whale-watching platform at Cabarita Beach moved a step closer this week with a meeting between council, local groups and the landscape architect.
The meeting was held in magic weather conditions and just to prove that the platform was needed, five pods of whales swam by as plans were finalised and measurements taken.
With the $16,000 funding received from the State Government and Tweed Shire Council’s donation of labor, the new seating and viewing platform looks ready to finally become a reality.
The new facilities are expected to greatly reduce the impact of visitors on the headland, which has suffered from heavy foot traffic.
“Views to Byron Bay and Tweed Heads attract many visitors,” dune care member Suzanne Bourke said.
“Others use the boardwalk for exercise, running up and down several times before resting at the top.
“Luckily Tweed has several experts at erecting timber viewing platforms, although they mentioned the disappointment felt when some vandals attacked these areas along the Tweed Coast.
“Any vandalism should be reported immediately to council and witnesses should challenge people misusing public amenities.”
It is hoped that the work will be finished by the start of the summer school holidays.
