Innovative Byron Bay project shortlisted for three prestigious awards

Byron Bay’s Sandhills Wetlands restoration project has been shortlisted for three prestigious NSW and national awards.

They include the National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards, LG Professionals – Local Government Awards and the Urban Development Institute of Australia Awards for Excellence.

The original wetlands, on a 1.8-hectare site near Clarkes Beach, were destroyed by sandmining in the 1960s and for many years the site was overgrown, degraded and attracted anti-social behaviour.

 

Byron Shire Council’s manager major projects Christopher Soulsby said the restoration of the Wetlands was a priority for Arakwal and was able to be developed to reduce the impact of flooding in the Byron Bay town centre.

“It delivers immense environmental benefits in the actual wetlands and beyond with improvements to quality of water flowing to Clarkes Beach and the Cape Byron Marine Park,” he said.

“For the community it links Walgun Cape Byron with the town centre and it’s just a quiet place for people to sit, learn from and enjoy.”

The restoration of the Sandhills Wetland was funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, the NSW Government through the Public Spaces Legacy Program and Council.

“To see this impressive project shortlisted for these awards which showcase some of Australia’s most innovative, creative and socially and environmentally important initiatives, is recognition of the significance of the Wetlands restoration,” Soulsby said.

“The Sandhills Wetlands have enormous cultural and environmental significance, and this project was co-designed with Arakwal and supported by Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and Crown Lands.”