The NSW Government has given Port Stephens Council the green light to begin the $1.67 million upgrade to Robinson Reserve in Anna Bay.
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Works on the long-awaited revamp will begin on Thursday, October 31 and are expected to be completed before the Christmas holiday period, weather and on-site conditions permitting.
"We know the revitalisation of Robinson Reserve has been on the Anna Bay community's wish list for a long time and it's fantastic that we'll now be able to deliver an upgraded recreation space for everyone to enjoy," Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said.
"Soon, Anna Bay will have a new playground, skate park, barbecue facilities and accessible amenities, as well as Aboriginal Place interpretive signage and native landscaping - as set out in the Birubi Point Aboriginal Place Master Plan.
"This is just one of many projects Port Stephens Council is undertaking in Anna Bay.
"We've also committed $700,000 for shared pathways on Gan Gan Road, $350,000 for Anna Bay town centre revitalisation including the 7 Day Makeover, as well as $5.4 million for the Birubi Information Centre."
Community workshops and surveys to determine the new design of the reserve and skate park began in November 2018.
The project was granted $1.35m in funding from the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund, with the council contributing a further $320,000.
The final design was completed in September 2019 and sent to the NSW Government for approval.
Port Stephens Council announced on Thursday, October 24 that the state government had signed off on the plans and could begin works.
The council said a new carpark for the reserve would be the first priority in stage one of the upgrade works. The new carpark would have 65 spaces, including two accessible parking spots.
Stage one and two of works will deliver accessible public toilets, beach showers, family playground and skate park within Robinson Reserve, a viewing platform on Birubi Headland and beach amenities in Ocean Avenue Reserve.
Stage two of the works is expected to begin in February 2020, once a contractor is appointed.
The council said works on the shared pathway on Gan Gan Road near Clark Street will also begin shortly.
The $700,000 project, funded by the council through its Port Stephens 2020 works program, will see construction between 269 Gan Gan Road and 304 Gan Gan Road, then between Nelson Bay Road and the sand dunes.
"It's very much full steam ahead for Anna Bay," Cr Palmer said.
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