Kingscliff car park upgrades to enhance resilience against future weather events

Dragons galore in this fantasy adventure

Title: A Dragon’s Unwilling Gift

Author: Adi Hogg

Price: $32.95

Publisher: Shawline

Publishing By Samantha Elley

We delve into the world of fantasy as two countries deal with the issues of dragons, magic, family, love, life and all the usual problems.

In the frst country, Alexander, the Bear King of Yarexih comes to the throne and realises there is a lot of work to do dealing with problems from generations ago. There is a drought and he knows he needs help to keep his subjects fed. He needs the help of the might dragon Zenos to raid neighbouring countries to ensure his people have enough food to survive.

In the second country,

Golgoth is a simple country lad who has to deal with the after effects of having his own, unexpected, encounter with a dragon.

At the same time, he is coming to understand the ways of love, lust, and where his place is in the world.

And then, of course, there is the woman, Zupic, torn between two nations as they rally for war.

This is book one in the series written by Adrian Hogg, who lives near the might Murray River in South Australia.

If he isn’t out on the water, he is tending to his cattle or his vineyard.

But between all that, Adrian has a love for literature and you can fnd him at lunch time on the back of his ute with his kelpie by his side and a book in his hand.

You can order your copy of the book at shawlinepublishing. com.au

The Tweed Shire Council is inviting community feedback on draft concept plans for upgrading the car parks at Cudgen Foreshore Park and Ed Parker Rotary Park in Kingscliff. These upgrades aim to enhance the recreational and aesthetic qualities of the parks while improving traffc fow and providing designated parking areas.

Located on the northern bank of Cudgen Creek, both parks along Sutherland Street offer important access to the creek’s viewing and recreational opportunities. Residents are encouraged to learn more and discuss the proposed upgrades with Council staff at Cudgen Foreshore Park on Saturday, August 10, from 9 am to 11 am.

Funding and Proposed Upgrades

The combined cost for the upgrades at both parks is $1.02 million, part of a $15.5 million funding package from the Australian and NSW governments to restore and improve community assets in Tweed that have been damaged by storms or foods.

Cudgen Foreshore Park Upgrades:

• Asphalting the internal road and parking spaces

• Installing rocks and bollards to manage vehicle movement

• Creating an accessible parking bay and connecting footpaths to picnic facilities and public toilets

• Upgrading picnic facilities with new accessible shelter and picnic settings

• Minor drainage improvements, including stormwater headwalls and a rainwater garden

• Implementing speed humps for traffc calming

• Retaining the existing Bush Stone-curlew nest and habitat area

• Additional tree planting

• Future works to include aluminium access stairs (not funded through this program)

Murray Smith, Council’s Manager of Parks & Active Communities, highlighted the benefts of asphalting the car parks, stating, “Asphalting will improve the sites by providing a smoother, more durable surface that reduces dust and mud, enhances drainage, and offers safer, more organized parking for residents and visitors.”

Smith also addressed ongoing issues with hooning behavior at Cudgen Foreshore Park, which has led to signifcant environmental damage and safety concerns. “Reckless driving has destroyed vegetation and wildlife habitats, causing extensive damage to turf areas and noise negatively impacting surrounding residents,” he said. “We will incorporate bollards, a mix of trees, mounded shrubs, plantings, and rocks to exclude vehicles. Over time, we will gradually remove some of the bollards and rocks as the trees grow strong enough to serve as natural barriers.”

Ed Parker Rotary Park Upgrades:

• Redesigning the car park section with a cul-de-sac at the northern end

• Asphalting car parking spaces and internal road, complete with line marking

• Adding concrete edging and connecting paths

• Installing rocks and bollards to manage vehicle movement

• Creating an accessible parking bay and connecting concrete footpath

• Implementing speed humps for traffc calming

• Additional tree planting

Smith explained the improvements for Ed Parker Rotary Park, noting that only half of the parking area is currently asphalted, with the remainder consisting of road base, which often develops signifcant potholes, especially after wet weather. “The proposed plan involves removing the central turning loop and converting sections of the loop road back to parkland, enhancing the recreational and aesthetic qualities of the park while improving traffc fow and access,” he said.

Additional Park Enhancements

Under the same funding program, Sutherland Point Park and Robert Dixon Park are slated for minor enhancements, pending approvals.

Proposed works include:

• New accessible picnic table

• New accessible barbecue and shelter with lighting

• New drinking fountain

• New connecting path to the roadway

• New beach shower

• Minor returfng

• Native tree planting Public Exhibition and Feedback

The draft concept plans will be on public exhibition until 4 pm on August 26, 2024.

Residents are encouraged to view the concept plans and provide feedback at yoursaytweed.com.au/cu dgenforeshoreandedpark erparks.

Learn more about the Council’s Towards Zero Waste Policy at tweed. nsw.gov.au/recyclingreducing-waste.