Byron Shire Council’s Open Spaces Team will finish scheduled gardening and turfing works and remove the safety fencing in Railway Park by close of business today, Friday 27, weather permitting – returning full access of the park to the community for the weekend.
The preparatory works involve the removal of the concrete-edged garden beds and two trees to open up pedestrian access to the park from Jonson Street, as part of the Railway Park upgrade.
“We’ve been following a schedule of preparatory works in Railway Park over the last few months to make it more accessible, safe and user-friendly for everyone,” Manager Open Space, Michael Matthews said.
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“This has involved erection of safety fences to protect everyone while staff and equipment move about the site.
We understand that the safety fences have raised concerns and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
“We are working to realize the vision for a revitalised Railway Park adopted as part of the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan,” Mr Matthews said.
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The garden bed and turfing preparatory works are funded through the $260,000 Byron Shire Council was awarded this year from the NSW Government’s Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure Fund, for the start of the revitalisation of the Railway Square precinct in Byron Bay.
The Railway Square precinct is one of 12 town centre projects identified in the Byron Bay Town Masterplan which was completed in 2015.
“Early concept plans submitted by Council’s landscape architect following a design charette involving community members show that Railway Park will be extended, and much improved recreation and leisure spaces will be created so that it will become a central meeting place in Byron for the community, businesses, artists and visitors. These plans are yet to be signed off by the Council.
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“The plans are very exciting and feature keeping the much-loved cottonwood trees as a centrepiece of the park design with improvements to the playground.
“Any notion of removal of the Byron Environment Centre kiosk will be a decision of the Council once current consultation being undertaken by the Mayor has been concluded,” Mr Matthews said.
Total investment for the start of the Railway Square precinct is $520,000. This includes the NSW Government grant of $260,000 and $210,000 from Byron pay parking receipts. Members of the Byron Visitors Centre are also contributing $50,000.
For more information contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator on 6626 7320.
Where is the proposed plan to support this article