Budget funds for new boardwalk

Council’s 2016/2017 budget includes $1.5 million for the renewal of the Park Road boardwalk at Noosa Heads.

“This iconic boardwalk is an essential piece of Council infrastructure,” Mayor Tony Wellington said. “It connects Hastings Street with the headland section of Noosa National Park, which is the most visited national park in Queensland.”

“After almost three decades and with many millions of people having walked it during its lifetime, the timber boardwalk has served Noosa well. But it is now due for replacement.

“The section between First Point and Little Cove was refurbished under the Sunshine Coast Council. Now we have to complete the task.

“Work will begin in 2016/2017 on the section between Little Cove and the Park entrance. This noteworthy and lengthy project will be completed in the following financial year.”

In designing the structure, Council has been working with a community reference group. This includes environmental, business and tourism representatives, as well as local residents.

Councillor Brian Stockwell chairs the community reference group. “Renewing the boardwalk requires significant planning, not just to preserve visual amenity but to also combat some tricky engineering and geo-technical constraints that the location presents,” Cr Stockwell said.

“We need to mitigate risks to Park Road, minimise the loss of vegetation, and determine where and how best to place the new structure. The design process will ensure the new structure meets the needs of a variety of users, including surfers, families and tourists.”

Cr Wellington said significant trees, including koala food trees, will be incorporated into the design.

“In places the new walkway will actually wrap around the trees,” he explained. “Already some of the design elements are looking very exciting and inventive. This is a real signature project for Noosa. We have to get it right.”

Council’s 2016/2017 budget is due to be ratified on 29 June.

22 June 2016