Crescent Head, we need your help.
Council has an important plan for Crescent Head on exhibition and we’ve only had 6 (yes SIX) responses from the community about it in the month it has been on exhibition.
We’re hoping you can spare a few minutes to read a short summary of Crescent Head and tell us if its accurate using a VERY SHORT SURVEY. If you could share this link with a few other locals, it would be really helpful.
What is the document?
To be honest, it hasn’t got a great name. It’s called the “Local Growth Management Strategy“.
Bad name sure, but good document. Important document.
Used by all Councils, a Local Growth Management Strategy is a plan for controlling and directing the growth and development of a specific region.
The goal of these strategies is to promote sustainable development, manage land use, protect the environment, and maintain the quality of life for residents. We can all agree that’s important.
A well-designed local growth management strategy can help ensure that a region develops in a balanced and sustainable manner, while preserving the character and quality of life of its communities.
So what?
So if we don’t get the vision for Crescent Head right in this document, then we are going to be aiming in the wrong direction with a bunch of other plans.
SO, we need the community to read what we’ve drafted and tell us if its on the money or what needs tweaking.
BUT it’s a very long document.
So… we pulled out the key bits of the character statement for Crescent Head and popped them down below. You can download the full document as a PDF and we would LOVE it if you could look at that, but if not, at least read the bit about your home.
So can you PLEASE have a read and fill in the very short survey to tell us if it is right/wrong in its summary of Crescent Head?
Then if you could please share it with as many people as possible in the two weeks before this closes on 14 March that would be incredible.
Thank you so much!
Crescent Head is renowned for its world class surf break, striking headland and coastal cliffs, beautiful beaches and attractive natural backdrop of forested ridgelines and hills.
Crescent Head is anticipated to experience ongoing steady growth pressure due to its idyllic coastal location and popularity as a holiday destination.
Our vision
Maintain the picturesque coastal village atmosphere of Crescent Head through the management of development height, scale and density and protection of views towards the surrounding scenic landscapes.
Continue to invest in improving the quality of the public realm and pedestrian amenity for the benefit of the community and tourists alike.
We love:
- The natural beauty and environment of our beachside village
- Our natural environment, surrounding by national park and anchored by the ocean
- That the village is not commercialised but is well serviced
- The foreshore carpark which provides unique opportunities to enjoy scenic coastal views and is highly accessible.
We value:
- Our Aboriginal culture
- Our surfing heritage
- Our multi-cultural environment brought about through the wide range of visitors
- Our relaxed, quiet and friendly atmosphere
- Our views of our beautiful natural surrounds.
We will say NO to:
- Development inconsistent with current zones and planning controls for Crescent Head.
- Development that is inconsistent with the established coastal character of the village.
Key issues:
- Ongoing growth pressure and demand for more medium density development and smaller (400m2) lot sizes
- Increasing numbers of visitors placing pressure on infrastructure and environmental assets
- Increasing issues regarding housing availability and the prevalence of holiday accommodation.
Our place planning priorities
- Maintain the current scale of development in the village
- Maintain and enhance the relaxed coastal character of the village
- Refresh the village and foreshore whilst maintaining the ‘vibe’ of Crescent Head
- Foster appropriate development of the urban growth area west of the village
- Maintain the rural and natural character of the surrounding area, in particular Loftus Road and the connections to Killick Beach
- Continue to improve our understanding of the dynamics of the coastal environments and effects on the village.
To achieve these priorities Council will:
- Continue to implement the Crescent Head Master Plan, including improvements to the foreshore and village public spaces
- Undertake a planning review in accordance with the Crescent Head Master Plan that considers the appropriate type, scale and design of development for the village, affordable housing, and the protection of scenic and environmental values
- Continue to support appropriate development in accordance with revised zoning within the urban growth area
- Prepare and implement coastal and estuary programs for the area and incorporate these into the planning controls as needed.
Coastal village character and key features
Crescent Head is a vibrant yet relaxed coastal village and popular tourism and iconic surfing destination, that also acts as a gateway and service centre for those exploring the scenic Point Plomer Coastline to the south.
The foreshore, ocean, beach and estuary and ocean front caravan park are key attractors and are accessed via Reserve Road, whilst the village centre is set back from the coastline.
Commercial development extends along the southern side of Main Street and Rankine Street, between Hill Street and Scott Street and recent streetscape upgrades have improved the amenity and accessibility of the eastern part of the village centre.
Other dispersed commercial uses occur throughout the village, particularly along Pacific Street, set amongst residential dwellings and short-stay accommodation facilities.
Residential character
Within the lower lying parts of the village, housing comprises a diverse mix of older brick, weatherboard and fibro single and two-storey detached dwellings, unit blocks and more contemporary medium density developments. Several larger commercial properties also provide accommodation options for tourists.
On the hillslopes and ridgeline, residential dwellings of up to three storeys that are generally visually unobtrusive capitalise on panoramic views afforded by their elevated location. Throughout this area, many private homes are advertised as boutique holiday rentals.
Streetscapes are characterised by wide grassy verges and fencing is often non-existent, however where present, the materials and heights are generally in keeping with the dwelling character.
Streetscape character
Streets within lower lying parts of the village are wide with grassy verges and concrete footpaths are provided along key streets, providing connectivity between the village centre, the foreshore and key civic buildings.
Public lighting is generally limited to standard road safety lighting throughout the village and flood lighting to the Baker Drive community precinct, which is in keeping with the coastal setting.
Street tree plantings are sporadic and, in some instances, very limited.
Some visually significant pockets of mature Melaleuca spp. occur within the northern verge of Main Street (Centennial Park) and iconic Norfolk Island Pines are found near Reserve Road.
Open space and recreation
Crescent Head provides many opportunities for a variety of land and water-based recreation activities.
Key infrastructure includes a footbridge providing access to Killick Beach and a concrete shared user path along the coastline to the base of Little Nobby.
Whilst no formal connection is provided between Little Nobby and Big Nobby, informal access to Big Nobby is provided along the edge of Pebbly Beach.
Access to Back Beach is provided by the Paul Clancy Trail that traverses Gooloowah National Park.
The Point Plomer Coastline to the south and Ryan’s Cut to the north provide additional readily accessible nature-based recreation opportunities.
The key recreation park within the village is Lloyd Park within the village centre and formal sport and recreation facilities are provided at the community precinct (off Baker Drive) and adjacent to the school on Pacific Street.
Cultural values
Artwork elements include paintings by local indigenous artist Milton Budge and mosaics designed by Guy Crosley on the water tower, a painted mural on the water tower at the top of Big Nobby, painted power poles on Pacific Street and street art on commercial properties within the village.
Recently installed interpretive signage and artwork elements are located throughout the village and discuss the Dunghutti People and their connection to and the significance of the coastal landscapes.
Crescent Head is also a well known and popular surfing destination, which is celebrated by annual events such as the ‘Crescent Head Classic’ and by it’s recognition as a National Surfing Reserve.
Views and scenic amenity values
Crescent Head has several formal lookouts including Little Nobby, Big Nobby and Crescent Head Lookout that provide exceptional views north and south along the coastline.
Other key views include:
- Towards the village from Little Nobby
- From the top of the Golf Course near the water tanks across the village and coastline
- Towards the ridgeline when entering the village along Belmore Street and Pacific Street
- West towards Dhalkunggayi Hill (Dulkoonghi Hill) and associated vegetated ridgeline within Goolawah National Park that extends south
- Towards Killuke Mountain within Goolawah National Park from South West Rocks Road on the approach to the village.
- Views from the foreshore towards the coastline, which are highly accessible due to the proximity of the existing carpark to the ocean.
In recognition of the significance of these striking coastal landscapes, several areas to the south, north and west of village are already protected on account of their scenic amenity value through their inclusion on the Scenic Protection Land Map.
Little Nobby, Big Nobby, Pebbly Beach, the coastal cliffs and unique geological formations and waterways of the Killick Creek Estuary, which contribute strongly to the setting of Crescent Head, are currently not protected.
The DCP contains a number of provisions relevant to the protection of scenic amenity values for any development within the Crescent Head Urban Investigation Area and within Dhalkunggayi (Dulconghi) Heights.
Now have your say
Please fill out the very short survey or make a submission.
Thank you.
