SUFFOLK PARK PROGRESS ASSOCIATION

PUBLIC MEETINGS

February 21st, 2017

MINUTES

Two meetings were held on February 21st: 10am at the Hotel, and 7pm at the Community Hall. Attendance was approximately 50 people.

The Coogera preschool also held a consultation and the results are included in the list below.

The objectives of these meetings were to sound the community regarding Section 94 spending in Suffolk Park next financial year 2017/2018, and also asking for ideas for the best uses of our park land.

After a Welcome to Country, Donald Maughan displayed last year’s wish list, and explained works which are yet to be done before the end of this financial year, and which had been temporarily halted due to land purchase negotiation.

THE FOLLOWING IDEAS AND WISHES WERE EXPRESSED REGARDING THE RECENTLY ACQUIRED PARK

Landscape architect to design the entire park - including shade and seating plan

Naming of our park

Rotunda / gazebo

Reflective/meditative/peaceful spaces with trees, greenery and seating for older people

Green, open spaces for kids to just run about

Interactive water play park

A flying fox

Undercover play space

Adventure playground with more natural elements for risk taking imagination and suitable for a wider variety of age groups

Pump track extension (see what Lismore council has done at Nesbitt Park for a cost of $50’00)

Children learn-to-ride track

Exercise equipment

Open air performance space

Market space / combined garage sale / celebration space

Boules/Bocce/petanque court

Tennis practice wall

Street Library

Extend the paved path from the toilet block, going behind tennis courts to connect Skaters Lane with Pepperbush St which is the direct non-vehicle access to the park

At the Community Garden :

more taps

seating & shade shelter

rubbish bins including recycling

extend community garden and run educational programs

Coffee Box type cafe/meeting place - work experience for disadvantaged people

Open up the forest so that one can walk safely there; big trees, bush regeneration area with walks

Fix it shed, for bikes and other things

Nature play playground

Labyrinth

A public swimming pool

Botanical plantings

Remove non-indigenous plants

Edible natives, indigenous food garden

Skater Lane - Paint a striped pedestrian space to stop cars parking right next to the boom gate, so that cycles and people with prams can get by

THE FOLLOWING IDEAS AND WISHES WERE EXPRESSED REGARDING SECTION 94 FUND SPENDING ON OTHER AREAS OF SUFFOLK PARK

Beautification of Clifford St and Broken Head Rd area

Boardwalk into rainforest area behind the shops

Pathway for pedestrians and cycles down the grassy strip behind the pub and entry to parking area (thus avoiding dangerous pub corner)

Boules/bocce/petanque court (possibly Midgen Park)

Street libraries

Make Tallow Creek accessible from BP to the ocean (the bridge behind Byron@Byron is too low for kayaks to pass)

Midgen Park upgrade

Exercise equipment around the lake

Tree planting all around Suffolk Park

Water stations for people and dogs – maybe near exercise areas

OTHER DESIRED OUTCOMES

Pedestrian crossing for Broken Head Road

Pedestrian crossing for Clifford St – in front of the pre-school

Speed limits on entrance to our park (Skaters Lane)

A safer Clifford St / Broken Head Rd intersection

Upgrade of Gaggin Park toilets

A bike path from Byron Bay to Broken Head

Improved beach accesses, including shower and benches at Wareham St beach entry and move the dog poo bin away from shower/seating. Benches at each beach entry point.

Solar lighting at beach entrances/exits (from the beach & road sides)

A bench on the dune at Clifford St entrance

Action to deter vehicles speeding up Beech Drive from the BP roundabout

Do something about the pond/drain alongside RSL Senior Living

Emergency exit out of beachside Suffolk Park

‘No Overnight Camping’ signs at our park and Gaggin Park

Improve footpaths (for skaters, wheelchairs and prams) i.e. no joints in the concrete

A community school (primary) to complement the pre-school

Cane toad control (around breeding areas)

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