Crescent Head Foreshore Project

The home for all engagement information on the Crescent Head Foreshore Project and Community Advisory Group (CAG).

October 2025

During this second phase of engagement, Council continued to seek feedback on the Draft Design Concept plan from a diverse demographic and users of the space. Specifically, we asked about the proposed carparking layout, the greenspace provided, the proposed nature-based playground and a skate/scooter park area, and the Willow Street draft concept (parking, green space, link to Pacific Street).

Ways in which we connected to the community were:

• Letterbox drop
• Media and social media
• Face to Face Info sessions (Foreshore)
• Community briefing (Community Hall)
• Sunday markets (Foreshore)
• Signage / Posters / VMS board
• Online and paper surveys via Your Say Macleay

See attached a copy of the Engagement Summary Report

Feedback received during these engagements were considered by Council staff and the Cresent Head Foreshore Community Advisory Group in developing a final Draft Design Concept plan (see below images). The Group also considered all forms of feedback received alongside other factors such as balancing the needs and desires of all users of the space, traffic management and flow, and pedestrian movement and safety.

Also see attached for Draft Design Plans

Please note

While survey results provide valuable quantitative insights, they represent only one part of the engagement and decision-making process. When we add the qualitative feedback gained through all forms of engagement, these insights add depth, highlighting the reasoning behind feedback given, provides practical locally lived experiences, and grounded concerns that numbers in a survey alone cannot capture.

Having considered the wide range of feedback received, the final draft concept design will be presented to Councillors recommending adoption at the 21 October Council meeting.

You will be able to view the plan and associated Council report on our website at this link: Council meeting agendas & minutes - Kempsey Shire Council working with the Macleay Valley community

Should you wish to speak for or against the recommendation to Council, you can apply to speak at the public forum held 4:30pm the day before the Council meeting.

Applications to speak in the public forum open upon publication of the business paper and close at midday on the Friday prior to the meeting. You can apply via the on-line form here” Public forums - Kempsey Shire Council working with the Macleay Valley community

Project updates will continue to be available here on the Your Say Macleay website.

Thank you once again for your participation.

We look forward to delivering meaningful improvements for the Crescent Head community.

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Update July 2025

Wanting to better understand the data around the draft concept?

We’ve heard from some community members in this round of engagement that they want to better understand the size of green space and more around carparking numbers on the draft concept plans.

• The width of the ocean (north) facing foreshore space in the draft plan is approximately 12m, compared to the current space which varies from 6m to 14m.
• You’ll note a significantly larger green space between the surf club and the amenities, which includes a proposed playground, scoot/skate park and market space. This space is almost double the width of the current greenspace in that area, at 53-58m from the creek to the proposed drop off zone.

• The proposed carparking numbers in the draft plan are approximately the same as the current parking (including the additional ‘informal’ parking which occurs) – that is 140 spaces.

• Currently, we have 58 ocean facing carparks along the foreshore strip (facing north). The draft plan includes 32, with the option to increase this to 41, if this were to be extended into what is currently designed as a ‘surf check’ on the western end of these parks (surf club end).
• There is a drop off zone in the draft near the markets and scoot/skate park area. If this were to be used for nose in parking instead, there would be an additional 13 parking spaces (with a slight reduction in the width of the green space).

For more detailed information and visuals on this, please see the attached document in the Round 2 Key Documents folder on this page.

DATES CHANGED. Due to the impacts of the recent flooding event, we had to make the decision to postpone the engagement sessions for this stage. We’re pleased to now have the new dates locked in. You can view the updated schedule below and keep an eye out for updates via the Kempsey Shire Council Facebook page.

Next Steps

After consulting the Crescent Head Advisory Group and the community in November-December 2024 and throughout early 2025, Council has now developed updated Concept Plans for Crescent Head’s Foreshore and Willow Street precincts.

The updated Concept Plans include exciting upgrades such as new nature-based playgrounds, a skate and scooter park, shaded picnic areas, and improved beach and creek access. Community feedback has been heard, with the retention of foreshore car parking reflected in the design, as well as the extended carpark option for community consideration.

The plans provide for markets, improved pedestrian circulation, and stronger connections between key areas like Willow Street, Main Street, and Little Nobby promoting all round improved safety.

Below are the revised Draft Concept Plans for the Crescent Head Foreshore and Willow Street Precinct. To view the plans in greater detail, please click here: Crescent Head Draft Concept Plans. You can also view them, attached in Round 2 Key Documents.

Recent Engagement

Council would like to extend the invite again to community to share your feedback on these revised designs to help shape the final design outcomes. To have your say please complete the survey below or attend one of our upcoming face to face engagement sessions:

COMPLETE: Crescent Head Foreshore Pop-Up

Date: Tuesday 8 July 2025

Time: 2.00pm - 4.30pm

Location: Crescent Head Foreshore

COMPLETE: Crescent Head Foreshore Pop-Up

Date: Wednesday 9 July 2025

Time: 9.00am - 11.30am

Location: Crescent Head Foreshore

COMPLETE: Crescent Head Community Briefing

Date: Thursday 10 July 2025

Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Location: Crescent Head Community Hall

COMPLETE: Crescent Head Markets

Date: Sunday 13 July 2025

Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm

Location: Crescent Head Foreshore

These sessions are a great way to gain all the information in person and have a friendly chat about the project. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

This stage of the project was on exhibition until close of business Monday 21 July 2025 (Extended due to the flooding event and rescheduled engagement sessions).

This Survey is now closed; We thank everyone who contributed to providing feedback.