The March 2021 flood devastated the popular Wauchope riverfront reserve.

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 is making part of the reserve safe to visit after the floods.

Planning is also underway to repair the boat ramp and carpark.

The council sought community feedback as part of future planning for Rocks Ferry Reserve.

A report about the timeline and reserve reconstruction process went before the September council meeting after Cr Sharon Griffiths raised a question with notice.

The report said during August and September, staff developed an interim approach to make the beach area, pathways and open space area amenable for the summer months.

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The council undertook community engagement to determine values and priorities.

Community feedback is helping to shape the next steps.

The council will develop a long-term plan and staged approach to providing recreation facilities to meet the needs of the Wauchope community for consideration by the council in February/March 2022.

Cr Griffiths said she raised the Rocks Ferry Reserve repairs after community feedback about the works, and in particular, about the boat ramp.

"I thought it was good that we got some information out to the general public about what the works entail," she said.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said the Rocks Ferry Reserve facilities were gravely missed and people were looking forward to at least when they could use the boat ramp again and any other future council plans about the riverwalk.

She said the reserve's facilities were valued, and especially in this time of COVID when our movements were restricted, people wanted to have access to that space.

The report said the council, through engagement, would be able to understand community values, what the council could do and its approach to ensuring the future of recreation and boating for Wauchope community.

The council recognised that Rocks Ferry Reserve was a key recreation facility that added to social connections and wellbeing in the area and was also mindful the reserve was the only boating facility available in the Wauchope community, the report said.

"There is an obvious environmental consequence to continuously restoring a facility that will continue to be impacted by floods," the report said.

"Council will need to consider this in terms of any flood proofing/protecting the bridge abutment works, which will support the boat ramp to withstand a flood into the future, particularly given the bank has receded already."

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