Open space and recreation strategy
A couple of months ago I put a post on the website about MidCoast Councils draft Open Space and Recreation 2023 - 2035 Strategy. This strategy has now been finalised and it was approved at the July Council meeting.
It outlines how outdoor spaces in the region will be planned, maintained and delivered to 2035. It was developed from what the MidCoast communities told Council was important to them in their outdoor spaces.
These spaces include parks, gardens, sports fields, playgrounds, dog parks, foreshore areas, walkways, cycleways and other public places.
The strategy contains a comprehensive action plan, with both region wide actions and location specific actions. Actions are prioritised for short term (1-3 years), medium term (3-8 years), long term (8-13 years), and ongoing.
We put in a detailed submission on the draft strategy, and it is great to say that Council took note of this submission and included its suggestions in the final version.
Actions listed in the plan for North Arm Cove are:
North Arm Cove actions
Develop the following projects:
a) Investigate boat launching facility at Beauty Point
b) Investigate enhancement opportunities at Heros Beach as per community developed Master Plan.
(These projects have a short term 1-3 year priority in the draft strategy.)
North Arm Cove and Carrington - Town wide actions
Develop the following projects:
a) Develop and put in place a plan for walking/exercise trails and exercise stations.
b) Casuarina Park upgrades in line with approved plans
c) Develop Medina Bay reserve landscaping plan
d) Assess the need for skateboard and BMX facilities, and put in place if feasible
e) Assess the need for children’s play facilities, and put in place if feasible
f) Determine the need and location for a protected swimming area, and if feasible, develop a plan to put in place
g) Determine the most appropriate location for an Emergency Evacuation jetty, and if feasible, develop a plan to put in place
h) Do a feasibility study to identify a suitable location for a community boat ramp outside of the NAC village
i) Survey public waterfront access pathways and build paths for pedestrian access to the water.
j) Do a feasibility study to identify a suitable location for a public boat ramp and jetty to service the Carrington and Tahlee communities, and if feasible, develop a plan to put in place.
k) Investigate construction of a half court multi-sport court at the Community Centre
(These projects have a medium term 3-8 year priority in the draft strategy.)
It is good to see these recreation projects now locked in as part of Council’s strategy for North Arm Cove and Carrington.
It is now up to us, the North Arm Cove and Carrington communities, to work with Council to progress these projects, work out the details, and help with obtaining finance to make them happen. None of these projects will eventuate without us putting the time and effort into making them happen.
Recent Council improvement work at Heros Beach and the community centre
It was reported on the website last week that Council recently did some work at the community centre childrens playground and at Heros Beach.
At Heros, Council cleared and tidied up the sloping area in the centre access road. Bitou bush and other weeds were removed, and the area was covered with fresh mulch. It certainly looks a lot better.
At the community centre childrens playground many cubic metres of soft fall were added to the playground, making it much safer for children to use.
So Council, especially Amanda and Liam, thank you for including lots of North Arm Cove projects in the open space strategy and for the recent work done at Heros Beach and the childrens playground. We really appreciate what you have done and we look forward to working with you on all of the North Arm Cove projects listed in this strategy.
