A pop-up consultation session will be held at Forster Ocean Baths to discuss and seek community input into stage one of the $450,000 Main Beach revamp.
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The session will be held next Monday, April 15 from 10am-noon.
Upgrades to the large shaded barbecue area, public amenities/change rooms and outdoor shower area will be delivered through a $200,000 NSW Government Stronger Country Communities Fund, while MidCoast Council Forster-Tuncurry open space fund will put in an additional $250,000.
"We've completed a draft design for the new facilities at the ocean baths, and we're asking for community feedback on the design to ensure we've got the fit right, and it's in keeping with the masterplan," community spaces and services director, Paul De Szell said.
The plans will be available for viewing on the council website or in hard copy format at the Forster office.
Comments and feedback also can be submitted on that page.
The popular Forster Ocean Baths is a highly valued community facility, with important connections to the past and continued high use throughout the year.
However the facilities are no longer adequate and the surrounding area is in need of a face lift.
This is really exciting news for everyone who uses the Forster Ocean Baths.
- Paul De Szell
"The toilet and change room facilities were constructed in the late 1970s or early 1980s and are not adequate to cater for the number of regular users, and importantly they also don't accommodate people with disability," Mr De Szell said.
Following public consultation on the Forster Main Beach masterplan, a decision has been made to relocate the proposed toilet block closer to the road and Second Head.
Change rooms will be provided within the new toilet block, rather than in a separate structure, and the existing change rooms will be removed.
The footprint of the existing change rooms will become the new barbecue and picnic area, and the existing barbecue area will be removed, which will be converted to a large grass area for people to enjoy.
The new barbecue area will provide a contemporary space with cooking facilities, picnic tables and an alfresco seating area.
The new facility connects the open space to the natural surrounds, featuring mixed seating for different uses, modern furniture, and art screens using local Aboriginal designs.
"This is really exciting news for everyone who uses the Forster Ocean Baths.
"It's been a long time coming and will kick start the whole Forster Main Beach Masterplan."
You can provide your feedback on the proposed upgrade until Sunday 28 April, after which plans will be finalised to allow for work to get underway.
