Plans to make Marine Parade in Kingscliff a one-way street between Turnock Street and Seaview Street went on public exhibition on Monday at Kingscliff Library.
The change will provide approximately 50 additional car parking spaces along the foreshore in the short-term, to meet longstanding community demand for extra parking in the town’s central business district.
The one-way plans came out of community consultation during the Kingscliff Central Park planning process, which identified considerable public demand for more parking in Marine Parade and an upgrade of the streetscape.
While the Kingscliff Central Park plans are on hold due to erosion issues along Kingscliff Beach and availability of funding, Council last week resolved to proceed with the Marine Parade upgrade and exhibit the plans.
Tweed Mayor Barry Longland said community members, especially local businesses, had expressed hope the work could proceed as quickly as possible. However, he quashed any idea that the new work will be in place before the Christmas rush.
“Initial feedback has been positive, with most people saying they want it done tomorrow and a letter from the Chamber of Commerce expressing its support has been received,” Cr Longland said.
“While local businesses have expressed a desire to have the change made by Christmas, that is probably too soon, given the design work which needs to be done and the approvals which need to be obtained,” he said.
“We don’t want to be doing the work during the tourist season, so it is much more likely the work will start in February or March of next year.”
Council’s Coordinator of Civil Design Engineering Warren Boyd said concept plans for the Marine Parade upgrade included replacing existing pot plants in the footpath with planted trees to create natural shade and a more vibrant streetscape.
He said, while the Marine Parade project was independent of the proposed Central Park project, they would complement one another to create a more vibrant and attractive Kingscliff central business area and foreshore.
“The intent of the design is to provide additional car parking, while providing a safe and inviting environment in which to do business and engage with the local community,” Mr Boyd said.
“The Central Park project will also add around 14 car parking spaces along the foreshore, taking the total number of planned new spaces to around 70 in the long term.”
The proposal can be viewed at Council offices in Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, at the Kingscliff Library and online at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au until June 22.
