The council has put out the call for the community to bring ideas to the table to plan for the future of Rocks Ferry Reserve.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The March 2021 flood devastated the popular Wauchope riverfront reserve.
The flood damage put the recreation facility out of action and robbed Wauchope of its access to the river for boating.
The force of the water reshaped parts of the riverbanks. The boat ramp, pontoon, car park, playground, fish cleaning tables and footpath were damaged or swept away.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will start work on the open space, riverside beach and part of the footpath in early September.
The work, while not to a polished, high level, will enable people to use the area again until the council can co-design the reserve's future with the community.
Restoring some access at and around the boat ramp is a huge undertaking, council says.
That can hopefully be achieved by summer but there are many complexities to consider.
The council understands there is significant community concern about the damage and the delay in beginning to rebuild the area.
There is strong interest in having a discussion around what could or should be restored.
The council has opened an online survey and will hold online community workshops for people to share what they believe is important about the site.
Acting group manager recreation, property and buildings Lucilla Marshall said the council knew how much people loved Rocks Ferry Reserve.
"We can't restore the whole reserve the same as it was, quickly, because of the severity of the damage," she said.
"It scoured-out areas leaving some unstable ground and sink holes. There is a lot to be done and we need to keep in mind that floods aren't uncommon to Rocks Ferry Reserve.
"We want to make sure the work we do is not only what the community wants but is a sensible approach considering future floods, and is good value for ratepayers."
The survey is open now through the council's online community engagement hub and closes on August 30.
Community members can register to be part of the online community workshop which will go ahead on August 19 at 6pm.
There will also be a follow-up community information session on September 16 at 6pm.
Feedback and ideas can be emailed to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au, or sent by post to the chief executive officer, PO Box 84, Port Macquarie NSW 2444.
The findings from the workshop, survey and information received will help shape a plan that the council can take to the various agencies and funding bodies.
Rocks Ferry Reserve is one of the many significant projects resulting from the March floods.
There are more than 900 infrastructure works on the damage list to repair.
This is not the first time the reserve has sustained extensive flood damage.
For example, restoration work after the January/February 2013 floods was completed in September 2014.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Bookmark our website
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
You can support us with a subscription
Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews
Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews
Follow us on Google News
