THE Port Macquarie Town Beach Marine Rescue building and public amenities will be upgraded as a part of a $300,000 refurbishment.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council last week opted to upgrade the facility after reviewing several options, which included demolishing and rebuilding at a cost of up to $1.8 million and relocating Marine Rescue to its operational radio/boat base.
Council will allocate funding for the upgrade in the 2013-’14 operational plan, but will also engage with other stakeholders regarding additional funding that may help reduce council’s contribution toward the proposed works.
Mayor Peter Besseling said the decision to move forward with an upgrade of the community asset and in the process address the current structural concerns, would ensure the facility remained functional into the future.
“The option to upgrade the current facility will remediate the identified structural issues, is significantly more economical than a full replacement and will better accommodate the needs of both Marine Rescue and lifeguards in terms of storage and function areas,” Cr Besseling said.
The upgrade of the facility will include remediation and replacement of some concrete slab areas, a reduction in the floor space of the public amenities area to accommodate a Marine Rescue meeting room and additional lifeguard services storage as well as the inclusion of a lift and covered stairs to improve access to the Marine Rescue radio room.
The outdoor seating area at the front of the kiosk facility will remain and on completion of the upgrade, council will call for interest in the management of the Town Beach Kiosk.
