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Alletson said community feedback showed a desire to retain the character of the headland while managing higher levels of use.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the community told us is that we need to keep it just how it is, but cater for the many more thousands of people who are using it all the time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The plan identifies three main access routes for early works: a track to South Beach, a rocky slot track to the rock platform, and a third route running from near the local shops through sandy terrain toward the creek and oyster reef.<\/p>\n
Alletson said the focus would be on reducing erosion from foot traffic through low-impact upgrades.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first objective is to undertake works to stabilise those tracks in as low impact a way as we can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Works will include sandstone steps and small-scale structures designed to follow natural landforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese will be national park-style tracks, that work as much as possible with the natural lay of the land,\u201d Alletson said.<\/p>\n
A key constraint is the presence of Aboriginal cultural heritage material in parts of the headland, including midden sites near creek and beach access areas.<\/p>\n
Alletson said these areas require minimal disturbance.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the constraints that we\u2019ve got in that area is that there\u2019s midden material in the creek bank,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to really avoid ground disturbance.\u201d<\/p>\n
In these locations, council is proposing raised, lightly built structures to allow access while protecting sensitive cultural material.<\/p>\n
While the plan has been adopted, Alletson said construction timelines depend on approvals and funding.<\/p>\n
He said council must complete archaeological assessments and secure permits before works can begin.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got concept designs and we\u2019re now going into an approval phase of the project,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Future stages will depend on budget and external funding, with works likely to be delivered progressively.<\/p>\n
Alletson said the need for action has become more urgent as visitor numbers continue to rise along the Northern Rivers coastline.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a sense that now is the time we really need to get stuck into it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A new management plan for Hastings Point headland will begin by stabilising key access tracks, as council responds to rising visitor numbers and growing erosion at the popular coastal site. The project follows a three-year planning process and two rounds of community consultation, with council\u2019s coast and waterways team leader Tom Alletson saying it is […]<\/p>\n