Plans are underway to turn what is a tired and under-utilised space known as Sandhills on the fringe of the Byron Bay CBD into a vibrant skatepark and recreation precinct.
A much welcomed injection of $2.05 million from the NSW Government’s Roads and Infrastructure Election Commitment, and another $600,000 from Council has meant the project is now ready to progress to the detailed design phase.
One of the world’s leading skatepark designers, CONVIC, has been engaged to design the skatepark and recreational hub but first Council wants to hear what locals would like to see included.
Sandhills is the area behind the Byron Bay Library, the Sandhills Childcare Centre and near the Byron Youth Activities Centre.
“This area is crying out to be activated, cleaned up and turned into something the entire community will be able to use and enjoy,” Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said.
“This is not just about building one of the best skateparks in regional Australia, it’s about acknowledging the nearby wetlands that are degraded, restoring them, building boardwalks and paths providing a beautiful green link to the beach and foreshore area, the recreation grounds and the CBD,” Mayor Richardson said.
“Importantly, this project will also acknowledge and incorporate the strong cultural ties the Arakwal people have to this area,” he said.
Anyone with an interest in the Sandhills area is now asked to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions on concept plans for the area that were developed in 2018 at Your Say Byron Shire.
The aim is for CONVIC to take those initial concept plans and, using the feedback from the community, build on them to develop detailed designs that will then be presented to Council and the community.
Feedback can be provided via a survey on Your Say Byron Shire until 14 December 2020.
