Developing Infrastructure Valley-Wide

special feature DEVELOPING INFRASTRUCTURE VALLEY-WIDE

Clarence Valley Council works across the region to develop infrastructure that complements our way of life. While a significant amount of the Works and Civil services budget is spent on roads and bridges, there are many other projects in the planning and delivery stages. Beautifying parklands and improving accessibility by creating active walkways has become a focus with projects such as the Grafton Waterfront redevelopment, the zig zag footpath at Yamba, better facilities at McKittrick Park , the Ulmarra CBD Upgrade and now the new Grafton Aquatic Centre. The following pages feature a snapshot of Clarence Valley Council projects including plans for the redevelopment of Maclean Civic Hall.

NEW POOL FOR THE CLARENCE COMMUNITY

The new Grafton Aquatic Centre will be a state-of the art regional facility that is set to become the envy of swimmers and splashers across the Northern Rivers.

It will be an inclusive, contemporary aquatic facility with a variety of water spaces and support services that meets the needs of the local community. Clarence Valley Council has committed $3.8 million to start construction of the new centre after a development application was approved by the Northern Rivers Joint Regional Planning Panel in late September. The funding will assist with stage one of the redevelopment which will include: • a new accessible 50m eight lane outdoor pool and grandstand seating for more than 600 patrons • a new accessible 25m heated pool to FINA (international sports federation) standards • a new beach entry heated learn to swim program pool • additional amenities, shade and recreational space The existing Grafton Olympic Swimming Pool is more than 60 years-old and has reached the end of its useful life becoming operationally unsustainable. The new design will seek to increase the sense of community within Grafton and surrounding communities through a wholistic design method that supports competitive swimming, learn to swim, leisure, and well-being.

Council will establish a community focus group to work with council for the life of the project.

Construction will be addressed through a two-stage approach to enable functionality of the facility and funding allocation. The extent of works will provide a competition standard 50 metre pool with eight lanes – the existing pool has seven lanes – that is capable of hosting regional level swimming competitions. The centre will have covered water spaces capable of supporting recovery and learn to swim programs as well as active sporting events for recreational users, school groups and swimming clubs. The beach entry heated pool will feature distinct zones including a learn to swim area and toddler’s play space Green open spaces on site will encourage promotion of other recreation such as Yoga and Tai Chi. Preservation of on-site heritage will be an important consideration in the redevelopment including provision for retaining the heritage front facade of the pool. Energy efficient options have been included in the design approach to enable operational sustainability by committing to energy saving initiatives such as rain water storage, solar power and heating and optimising glazing and shading solutions. Pool users will continue to have access to Council’s other pool facilities in South Grafton, Maclean, Yamba, and Glenreagh. Detailed designs have been completed and Council will be working with the lead designer, Facility Design Group to progress the project to the first stage of a select tender.

Images right (from top): The new Grafton Aquatic Centre (artists impression). Prev. page: The new Grafton Aquatic Centre (artists impression).

SPORTS CLUBS WELCOME UPGRADES AT MCKITTRICK PARK

Sporting clubs are benefiting from major upgrades to facilities at McKittrick Park in South Grafton. Renovations to the change rooms, public amenities and the referee room have been completed along with replacements to lighting of the sports field. The South Grafton Rebels - who call McKittrick Park home - have more than 200 kids registered playing junior league. The venue is also one of the premier cricket grounds in the Clarence Valley. Hundreds of people will benefit every sporting season from these upgrades which have been designed with a universal fit out. The showers now have partitions for the first time, making it a safe and inclusive space for all. The majority cost of the McKittrick Park Upgrades project was funded by the NSW Government through the Stronger Country Communities Fund ($185,722) and the remaining $14,000 by Council. The upgrade to McKittrick park included the demolition and replacement of fixtures and fittings including basins, bench tops and ambulant toilets, painting, application of non-slip epoxy flooring, upgraded LED lighting, new privacy partitions and new bench seating in change rooms. The field lighting cost $432,895 which included $240,000 in funding from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, designed to support councils deliver priority infrastructure projects to support jobs and help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. The timber light poles were replaced with new higher poles meeting current Australian Standards. Several local contractors collaborated with Council’s Open Spaces & Facilities team to deliver the projects.

ENHANCING ULMARRA CBD AND BAILEY PARK

Preliminary works have started for the Ulmarra CBD Upgrade and Bailey Park. The project includes beautification of Coldstream and River Streets and adjacent footpaths and improving stormwater drainage. It will also redevelop Bailey Park providing a new toilet block, playground, seating, shelters, lighting, footpaths and shade trees.

Unlike similar projects, Council will deliver the entire project with its own staff instead of using external contractors. In-house delivery provides several benefits including cost savings, the ability to liaise closely with the community and be more responsive to their needs. Council started in September with Water Cycle staff conducting initial investigations to replace the water mains. Installation using trenchless technology is underway. Ongoing community consultation sees the team working with residents and customers to ensure notification prior to any supply interruptions. The streetscape aspect of the project will start in the coming months and will be complete by Mid 2023, weather permitting. The works at Bailey Park will start first and will result in a net gain of seven car parks in the Ulmarra CBD at the project’s completion. The Ulmarra Riverside Village Precinct Plan is designed to establish Ulmarra as a ‘must see’ destination for visitors, revitalising the river’s edge and improving access, and promoting Ulmarra as a place of character and heritage significance. The project has been made possible through $2.3 million funding from the NSW Government Open Spaces Legacy Grant, $602,732 funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and from additional Council reserves.

GRAFTON WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT REVIVES SHARED OPEN SPACE

The first stages of the Grafton Waterfront Precinct are taking shape with construction of a threemetre-wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists along the foreshore now visible from the air. The redevelopment will also create revamped picnic areas, viewing areas, access ramps, a boat ramp, shade shelters, seating, lighting, and artworks that celebrate the culture of the local area.

Upon completion, the path meandering through parkland alongside the Clarence River from Prince Street to Clarence Street will be dotted with seats and picnic spots along its 700-metre length. “When completed, locals and visitors will be able to comfortably and safely walk and recreate along the waterfront, drawing attention back to one of Grafton’s natural and cultural assets,” Vee Design Landscape Architect David Hatherly said. The design includes improved access for pedestrians into Memorial Park from Prince Street, with several historic structures and monuments as well as some garden features relocated to other prominent locations within the park. There will be a total of 10 interpretive signs distributed throughout the precinct, with four based on heritage, four on Indigenous culture and two on the Clarence River. The Grafton Waterfront Precinct project is funded through an Australian Government Community Development Grant of $6.5 million to the Clarence Valley Council. Council is also in partnership with Alder Construction to deliver the project.

COUNCIL REACHES $10 MILLION IN GREEN INVESTMENTS

The total value of Clarence Valley Council’s investments that do not invest nor finance the fossil fuel industry now totals $10 million.

The milestone, announced in the Monthly Investment Report – June 2022, was reached because of a $3 million term deposit invested in non fossil fuel affiliated industries. Climate change impacts of Council’s investment portfolio are now considered as each investment matures, with preference given to financial institutions that publicly state that they do not invest nor finance the fossil fuel industry, noting that investments only be made providing the rate of return is equivalent or more favourable and does not increase the overall risk of Council’s investment portfolio.

Images above: Zig Zag path, Yamba

ZIG ZAG SHARED USER PATH A TRUE ENGINEERING FEAT

GWYDIR HIGHWAY FOOTPATH GETS A MAKEOVER

A new 170-metre-long Zig Zag Path starting at Flinders Park at Yamba, provides safe access to the popular coastal foreshore and main beach for visitors and residents. The zig zag path was built as a 2.3 metre wide board walk style walkway to enable ease of movement for pedestrians traveling both up and down to the beach. As part of the work, slope stabilisation and rehabilitation of the area was undertaken. This will improve pedestrian access by removing steps and having a continuous ramp. The Zig Zag Path Upgrade project was jointly funded by the Clarence Valley Council and the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. Zig Zag path has: • 7,890 rivets installed • 1,100 bolts installed • 1,300 brackets installed • 730m of 90mmx40mm recycled plastic used

DID YOU KNOW?

Image above left: Destium fugiatus. Parchil

Clarence Valley Council’s Civil Services team has completed an overhaul of one of its longest and most popular shared user paths.

A new bitumen seal now blankets the 3.8km stretch of footpath from Ryan Street, South Grafton out to Rogan Bridge Road, Waterview Heights - an important link between South Grafton and Waterview Heights. The path has been repaired, widened in sections, and resealed, so it is even more suitable for users through improved safety and accessibility. Council also repaired drainage issues that were causing frequent inundation and damage to the pathway. Council received funding for the reseal from Transport for NSW in response to community requests to upgrade the path which was installed about 30 years ago. The smooth ride was reopened for cyclists, runners, walkers, and scooters alike in early July. The project meets societal and infrastructure objectives within Council’s Community Strategic Plan - Clarence 2032. It maintains our diverse infrastructure base to serve the needs of the community, and an active transport connection route between South Grafton and Waterview Heights, while promoting safe and healthy activities in harmony with the natural environment.

YAMBA SKATE PARK A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Yamba is now home to one of Australia’s premier skateboarding destinations with the completion of the Yamba Skate Park upgrade.

The park has been designed with an advanced clover style bowl with a three metre deep end, great flow lines and transitions that are unique on the east coast of Australia. It is tight and challenging, but has enough potential for lots of different tricks to keep even the greatest of skateboarders engaged for a long time and wanting to come back for more. The delivery of the Yamba Skate Park Facility is a strong example of community partnership. The final design was borne out of the vision and passion of the Yamba Skate Working Crew - a committee established in 2020 and made up of Council representatives, community members and skaters to reinvigorate the space and create a design generated from the heart and soul of the community. The revamped skate park is now more than 1000 square metres bigger than the original skate park to cater for the ever-growing popularity of skateboarding and roller sports in the coastal town of Yamba. The park now has such a diverse range of new obstacles, ramps, stairs, rails, flats, and lots of fun, creativity-inspired skateable elements, and boasts a super advanced and fast three-metre deep clover-style bowl. There is also improved shaded seating areas, hang out spaces, landscaped gardens with local palms, native grasses and shrubs, and improved pedestrian access. The Clarence Valley Council project was assisted by funding from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program with Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan securing $500,000 towards upgrading the skate park. The Yamba skatepark is a one-of-a-kind facility in the Northern Rivers, offering young people the opportunity to develop advanced skill levels in the skate bowl.

NEWLY CONSTRUCTED LAWRENCE RESERVOIR BENEFITS COMMUNITY

A new 1.7 megalitre drinking water reservoir on the site of the old reservoir in High Street, Lawrence has been constructed to benefit the local community. The giant reservoir was completed in October by Hornick Constructions; a Brisbane based reservoir construction company. The $1.9 million project was delayed due to COVID restrictions. The new reservoir provides the community of Lawrence with a reliable and safe back up water supply. The reservoir is 16 metres high and almost 13 metres wide and constructed from locally sourced concrete. Other local suppliers were used during the project, where possible.

Image top left: Yamba Skate park (artists impression). Above right: 1.7 megalitre water reservoir, Lawrence. Opp. page: Artists impression of Clarence Valley Culture and Community Precinct.

REIMAGINING MACLEAN CIVIC HALL

Following years of community feedback, Clarence Valley Council has secured funds through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund to deliver a new community precinct.

The Clarence Valley Culture and Community Precinct will be delivered in stages, with the first being a modern performance hall with a tiered seating capacity of over 270+, larger stage and wings, backstage facilities for performers as well as a functional workshop for onsite construction of props and backdrops. The facility will also have multi-purpose spaces that will support community needs. In addition to new features, the performance hall will encompass a commercial kitchen, art gallery space and an outdoor event space that allows the community and event goers the opportunity to connect with the mighty Clarence River. Below this renewed community facility will be a covered 40 space carpark complete with elevator to enable easy access. A concept design has been prepared and a consultant engaged to finalise the detailed design ready for construction. During the consultation process, the community supported a new, modern facility that would develop the performing arts sector of the Clarence Valley. The constructive feedback provided through engagement sessions in 2018/2019 has been examined by the project team to ensure that the design reflects the feedback. Council conducted design workshops in September with key civic hall stakeholders to further inform the design process and ensure that the new facility delivers on expectations and practical functionality as well as audience comfort. The tiered seating within the main auditorium will ensure that every seat in the house will be able to see the stage clearly. Two multi-purpose conference rooms will provide fully functional conference facilities to support community and Council meetings, host various art exhibitions or act as additional changing rooms for larger preforming groups. The design will see a new green space between the performance hall and the current Council Building. The Clarence Valley Culture and Community Precinct project is being jointly funded by the Australian Government Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund ($4.997 million) and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LCRI) Program ($3 million) and from additional Council reserves.