Riverside Park wharf and toilets update

Published on 21 March 2023

Kempsey Shire Council are pleased to announce that staff have been working hard to make repairs and ensure that Riverside Park remains safe and accessible for everyone to enjoy. 

As many of you may know, there have been some recent acts of vandalism that have caused damage to its facilities.

One of the areas that was affected was the male toilets, which were damaged by fire. Our Council staff have been working diligently to repair the damage, and we are pleased to report that the toilets are now open once again.

In addition, we wanted to provide an update on the condition of the wharfs at Riverside Park. Unfortunately, our team has found significant deterioration in the decking and bearers of the wharf due to marine borers, which are molluscs that burrow into wooden structures. This has resulted in the wharf remaining closed until further notice while the Council assess the damage and determines a repair strategy.

The Riverside Finger wharf is also due for refurbishment and is currently closed for safety reasons until May 2023 when the replacement components are expected to arrive. Council staff has determined that it is safer to keep the structure closed until the replacement occurs.

Despite these challenges, Riverside Park and its wharfs are a focus for Council. We are investing $3,789,492 at Riverside Park for the Riverbank Protection Works, which will include a large amount of beautification to the foreshore. Additionally, funds have already been allocated for the Riverside Finger Wharf, and components are ordered and under manufacture.

We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time, and we will continue to keep you updated as we work towards maintaining and improving our beloved Riverside Park.