Have your say on plan for coastal villages

RESIDENTS of New Brighton, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores are being invited to provide feedback on Byron Shire Council’s plan for the area over the next 20 years.

The deadline to contribute to the draft Place Plan for the villages is Sunday May 18.

The document considers movement around the villages, the environment, community, open space, resilience and the village feel.

The plan includes developing a network of paths and cycleways, improving road safety through such things as traffic calming measures and lobbying Transport for NSW to increase public transport in the area.

Council also wants to look at developing of a second sports field at Bob Bellear Sports Field on Shara Boulevard and transforming Tom Kendall Sports Field in New Brighton into a multiuse village green.

It also includes reviewing New Brighton Farmers Market, supporting NSW Government to address the Marshalls Creek riverbank erosion in New Brighton and encouraging the Ocean Shores Shopping Centre area to evolve into a town centre.

Updates to the 2020 North Byron Flood Study and associated Risk Management Plan are also being incorporated, as well as assessing and undertaking necessary upgrades to South Golden Beach rear drainage easements and developing an Emergency Preparedness Plan for the communities.

Council also wants to investigate the viability of a Marshalls Creek Boardwalk connecting the Ocean Shores shopping area to the beach and establishing a new mixed use neighbourhood precinct near the Balemo Drive/Orana Road entry to Ocean Shores.

Residents can provide comments and ideas online via Council’s website or give feedback in person at a series of community meet-and-greets.

They will be held at Ocean Shores Community Centre on Tuesday April 15 from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, South Golden Beach Hall on Wednesday April 16 from 3.30pm to 6pm and New Brighton Farmers Market on Tuesday April 29 from 8am to 11am.

To view the plan, visit byron.nsw.gov.au/nso-place-plan