Council to go back to community on Crescent Head foreshore

Published on 20 July 2021

The community will have the chance to engage once more on a vision for the Crescent Head foreshore after Council agreed to a long-term re-examination of plans at Tuesday’s meeting.

New options to amend the existing Crescent Head Domain Project plans were submitted to the July Ordinary Meeting by staff. These options were framed as amendments to plans that were first tabled to Council in May 2020 and which have prompted extensive community feedback.

While acknowledging the significant community consultation that has already occurred, Councillors requested staff devise an additional engagement and design process to take the issue back to the community, involve more stakeholders and deliver overall concept designs in approximately 24 months.

Kempsey Shire Mayor, Liz Campbell, said the importance of the project and the passion in the community made it essential to take the time to get the right vision for the whole of Crescent Head.

“Sometimes people don’t speak up until they see the plans and what they mean, which is perfectly understandable,” said Cr Campbell.

 “The engagement that occurred with the community before and after the 2017 Crescent Head Master Plan has played a vital role in getting us to this point, but clearly there is a significant number of people who feel left out of that process. We need to work with them to make sure this crucial vision is unifying and not divisive. That’s why we’re seeking to form a Community Advisory Group as part of this process.”

Council staff will now bring a plan to the August meeting of Council, the last before the local government elections on 4 September. This plan will outline a roadmap to delivery of an overall concept design in approximately 24 months, balancing the need for car parks on the foreshore, the need for green space and the need for a playground and skate park. A key aspect is the formation of a community advisory group including members of relevant stakeholder groups to ensure the new vision recognises the various cultures of Crescent Head.

Further details on the engagement process to date can be found on Council’s Crescent Head Your Say Macleay page.