Sweetnam Park upgrade Uki

UKI’S Sweetnam Park is undergoing a facelift, with work underway to transform the park into a more inclusive, flood-resilient, and family-friendly space.

The long-awaited upgrade will address substantial damage caused by the 2022 floods and is a high priority of Tweed Shire Council’s Open Space Strategy.

The council’s manager of parks and active communities, Murray Smith, said it was exciting to see not just Sweetnam Park, but many other community spaces come back to life across the Tweed over the last 12 months.

“From Crabbes Creek Community Hall to Cudgen Foreshore Park and Bilambil Sports Complex West, we’re proud to be rebuilding spaces that are not only resilient, but that truly support active lifestyles and bring people together,” Smith said.

“Sweetnam Park is a vital green space for the Uki community, and this upgrade reflects what locals told us they wanted – a better playground, improved walking areas with park facilities that make it easier to connect and spend time outdoors.”

The upgrade features new play equipment suitable for children aged 2–13, an inclusive swing, and nature play elements, including a cubby house and climbing net.

A basketball key and small-scale skate element for youth will be added alongside new seating, picnic tables, shelters, and drinking fountains, along with connecting pathways, landscaping, and more trees.

“This is part of a broader commitment to restoring and upgrading parks across the Tweed following the 2022 floods,” Smith said.

“Thanks to support from the Australian and NSW governments, we’re creating public spaces that are safer, more accessible, and better equipped to meet the needs of our future communities.”

The $379,951 improvements are jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Community Assets Program and are expected to be completed by early December.