Horseshoe Bay Reserve revitalisation

• Residents provided extensive input into the proposed upgrades for the reserve at Council workshops held between 2018 and 2019.
• The natural beauty, beaches and community spirit were highlighted and were guiding factors in developing the Master Plan.
• Improving pedestrian links around the foreshore area and to the town centre and open spaces were also seen as important by residents and influenced decision making.
• The Masterplan is about making the connection between buildings, social settings, and their surrounding environments.
• The Master Plan provides Council, business, government stakeholders and the community the opportunity to consider a range of issues affecting the Horseshoe Bay Reserve such as infrastructure and recreational spaces usage now and into the future.
• The engagement and the results can be found on the initial revitalisation Your Say Macleay page.

One of the biggest issues identified by the community in the master planning stage was the need for an upgraded kiosk and amenities.

A key component of the 2019 Horseshoe Bay Master Plan was to relocate the existing amenities and kiosk into a combined Community Hub.

The community hub development is not yet funded, however detailed designs are being developed.

Through this design process, Council has determined the preferred location for the Community Hub and also identified an opportunity for a new accessible café and community events space.

The new Community Hub will include:

• Amenities with change rooms, lockers and separate toilets
• Fully accessible adult changing facilities
• Kiosk with stores and services rooms
• IF APPROVED - A Cafe and Events Space with internal dining space for approximately 70 people.

The Master Plan identified two potential locations (A and B in the diagram below) for the new Community Hub. We have now confirmed the location for the kiosk as Option B, the new location. Option A represented a replacement of the existing Amenities and Kiosk facilities.

In February and March 2023, Council asked the community whether we should consider adding a café to this facility and if so, how big should it be.

Find out more at Horseshoe Bay Revitalisation: Community Hub

Location choice

• As we moved to the detailed design stage, further investigations determined that the optimum site for the Community Hub is what’s referred to as ‘the ridgeline’ (Option B).
• Council has chosen to construct the Community Hub in this location along the southern side of the avenue of Norfolk Pines
• The reasons for this choice were:
• It preserves the amenity of the reserve as green space can expand to maximise the natural amphitheatre and create continuous green space around the existing fig tree.
• It maximises unused space around the current car park.
• Existing steep slopes present accessibility and servicing challenges around site A.
• Site B’s more gentle slopes mean there is better access for construction as it reduces the cost and time.
• The gentle slope will also significantly enhance accessibility once construction is finished.
• There is access to existing utilities (power, water) which makes it more cost efficient to build here.
• Improved servicing of the building for deliveries and waste collection.
• It aligns more clearly with the avenue and entrance pathway from the CBD and provides a good connection to key site features such as the play space and main avenue.
• It avoids the need a temporary kiosk to be constructed during construction as the existing kiosk can be used at that time.

Benefits of site B

• This location has additional benefits to those listed above, including:
• It is centrally located close to the existing playground and shelter.
• It provides good access to and from the new Norfolk Avenue walkway.
• This location also serves the beach and broader coastal walk.
• It is close to the main destinations in Horseshoe Bay.
• Increased open space adjacent to the beach.
• Unobstructed views open to the beach and coastline.
• There is also an opportunity for outdoor showers and picnic tables set under the trees alongside the Norfolk Avenue walkway.

Norfolk Pines

• Protecting the existing trees will be a key part of the design to ensure they remain safe and healthy throughout construction and into the future.
• The natural landform of the site will assist in managing impacts to the trees as the building can sit above natural ground.
• Key measures to protect the Norfolk Pines during the design and construction phases will include:
• No construction within structural root zones.
• Arborist to review proposed layout and impacts within tree protection zones and advise on suitable construction techniques.
• Trees to be protected in accordance with Australian Standards during construction phase.

Should we add a café and event space?

• Council identified an opportunity for a new accessible café and community events space at Horseshoe Bay in addition to the amenities and kiosk.
• The café would be in addition to the kiosk.
• The café has the potential to create a new destination for South West Rocks.
• As the café was not specifically identified in the Master plan, Council is sought feedback on the idea of locating a café at Horseshoe Bay.

Engagement

In February and March 2023, Council asked the community for their thoughts on the size of the proposed Community Hub and whether it should include a café. 

Find out more at Horseshoe Bay Revitalisation: Community Hub

A major upgrade of the Horseshoe Bay headland car park was completed in 2023. 

Key benefits

• 55 formal carparking spaces, including two accessible spaces.
• Designed to make it easier for large vehicles to turn.
• Increased from current 37 formal parking spaces and 9 additional informal spaces (totalling 46 spaces) and zero Australian standard accessible parking spaces in the current carpark.
• Greatly improved stormwater management through construction of concrete kerbs and drains and the inclusion of bioretention swales (shallow, vegetated, landscaped depressions with sloped sides) which will:
• slow runoff during intense storm events,
• allow stormwater to be filtered through plantings,
• reduce runoff sediment,
• gather rubbish swept away in runoff which will be collected by maintenance staff, reducing waste entering the ocean.
• Constructed with high quality and durable products, greatly improving the road surface and ride quality.
• Capacity for traffic to circulate around the carpark and exit compared to the current “dead end” requiring vehicles to turn around and exit via the entry.
• Improved safety and reduced congestion.

Funding

$1.8 million from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure – Phase 3 grants for the Horseshoe Bay Master Plan Implementation for carparks and paths and associated road to get to the carpark.  

Background

2014 – Council adopted a Master Plan and since that time there has been ongoing community feedback into this plan.

Throughout 2018 and 2019 – Further community engagement and Community Catch Ups were conducted and Plummer and Smith Consultants were engaged to develop a Draft Master Plan 2019 for the reserve.

In 2018-2019 – Residents provided extensive input into the proposed upgrades for the reserve at Council workshops. The natural beauty, beaches and community spirit were highlighted and were guiding factors in developing the Master Plan. Improving pedestrian links around the foreshore area and to the town centre and open spaces were also seen as important by residents and influenced decision making.

September 2019 – New Master Plan adopted by Council

March 2022 - Design works commenced for next stage of upgrades to Horseshoe Bay Reserve. Kempsey Shire Council engaged a designer to draw up plans for the revitalised Horseshoe Bay Reserve following extensive community and stakeholder engagement on the Horseshoe Bay Master Plan. Council engaged design consultant Civille to develop designs for the Horseshoe Bay upgrades.

2022 – Meetings held with Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council and Figtree Aboriginal Corporation, as well as the Macleay Disability Inclusion Group, to listen to their views and expertise in this area.

Late 2022 - Civille Consultants completed the technical drawings for the Horseshoe Bay Reserve Master Plan.