Foreshore node project first cab off rank

The Shoalwater Reserve Activity Node will be the first project constructed in the Safety Bay Shoalwater Foreshore Master Plan.

The master plan provides a broad vision to guide changes to the foreshore and will be implemented over coming years as funding is secured.

The adopted master plan divides the study area into four sections and identifies five activity nodes — Shoalwater Reserve, Lions Park, Mersey Point, the Pond and Waikiki foreshore — being locations where there is a high volume of visitors and/or a concentration of activities and amenities.

At last months council meeting the Shoalwater Reserve Activity Node was selected as the first in a series of projects to be rolled out in the area.

Part of the elevated Shoalwater Reserve, which lies adjacent to Arcadia Drive and Churchill Avenue, will be upgraded with improvements to the reserves amenities and its level of beach access.

The main improvement area will include the northern section of Shoalwater Reserve adjacent to the existing toilet facility and carpark, with the balance of the park to retain its current look and function.

Provisions will also be made to allow for temporary commercial operators, such as food trucks, to be set up at the reserve in future.

City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the master plan was a long-term vision that would improve the amenity and function of several sites along the Safety Bay/Shoalwater coastline.

“Works within different areas of the master plan will be implemented in the short, medium and long term, when funding becomes available,” he said.

“The Shoalwater Foreshore Reserve Activity Node is the first step in this process and will be delivered in a manner that allows the site to retain its existing natural character.”