THE $300,000 upgrade of the Town Beach kiosk and Marine Rescue headquarters is complete.
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All that remains is the final internal fit-out of the cafe and viewing tower and the refurbished facility will be ready for business.
The project, not without its hurdles, was completed on time and on budget with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and Port Macquarie Marine Rescue able to negotiate on the final design components.
The existing structure was almost 50 years old and in a state of gradual deterioration as a result of concrete cancer and exposure to corrosive salt and extreme weather.
Works on the upgrade began in September 2015.
Marine Rescue will now be required to fit-out its portion of the building which includes a meeting/storage room, viewing tower, control room and internal amenities.
The internal fit-out is expected to cost Marine Rescue $100,000 with tradespeople to commence work on-site this week.
Chris and Leasa Harris, contracted to operate the kiosk, have now commenced recruitment for Salty Crew Cafe. The cafe also requires final fit-out but is expected to be operational by Easter.
The existing toilets have also been upgraded.
Cr Justin Levido said the facility is a significant milestone in the broader redevelopment of Port Macquarie’s beachfront precinct.
“The Town Beach precinct takes in this facility to the south right up to the skate park in the north,” Cr Levido said.
“We hope to have this entire region finished and functional by Christmas.”
This will include new amenities and a smaller kiosk at the skate park end of Town Beach.
“It will complement what we have done here and become a very functional, widely used area,” Cr Levido said.