The long-awaited draft blueprint for Crown waterfront land between Settlement Point and Town Beach is on exhibition for 28 days.

The draft management plan has four focal areas – Settlement Point; River Green from Quality Resort Sails to Short St; Town Green from Short St to the eastern boundary of Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park; and Beach Green, which takes in Town Beach and Flagstaff Hill.

NSW Lands Minister Tony Kelly said a range of possible uses was proposed, such as tourism, hospitality, waterfront recreation, retail and boating facilities.

Some of the site-specific plans include improved picnic facilities at Settlement Point, a redeveloped Port Marina, bigger boat ramp and more efficient boat trailer parking near Westport Park; redeveloped Plaza car park, fish co-op and CBD mooring sites, new-look Town Beach kiosk and a playground at Town Beach.

Port Macquarie MP Peter Besseling encouraged people to look at the plan and provide feedback.

“This is a significant document that will impact heavily on the future interaction that our community will have with our foreshore, particularly surrounding the CBD,” Mr Besseling said.

The MP said he did not want to pre-empt feedback, but said it was evident the plan had not fully considered the effect of the loss of CBD car parking.

There were no options to compensate motorists for these losses.

“As car parking within the CBD is one of the most pressing issues for motorists and businesses alike, this anomaly will need to be addressed in consultation with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council before any development of Crown land can be considered,” he said.

The NSW lands minister said foreshore development sites and better public access to the foreshore between Settlement Point and Town Beach were given equal weight.

“It’s hoped the proposed changes would better cater for existing and future needs of residents and tourists,” Mr Kelly said.

“This is a great opportunity to promote economic development and create jobs while at the same time improve public access to the waterfront.”

The plan also includes a dredging strategy for the Hastings River.

People are encouraged to review the draft plan and have a say by April 13.

The draft plan is available online at www.lpma.nsw.gov.au

Hard copies of the draft plan can be viewed at the Port Macquarie Library in Grant St and Port Macquarie’s Historic Courthouse in Clarence St.

Written submissions should be sent to the North Coast Regional Manager, Crown Lands Division, Land and Property Management Authority, PO Box 440, Taree NSW 2430.