General News
31 August, 2023
Streetscaping will take years
RISING costs and a tight budget have placed most of the Palm Cove streetscape and landscape masterplan in a holding pattern.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said the master plan was endorsed by the council in November last year but was considered a long-term document to be used as a guiding principle for any works that had to be done.
The master plan focusses on the Williams Esplanade and foreshore precinct, extending from the Palm Cove jetty in the north to the Sea Temple in the south, and bounded by Oliva St in the west.
The plan includes relocation of the children’s playground further north, returning underutilised roadway to green space, and improved pedestrian connectivity are among projects identified in a new Palm Cove streetscape plan.
There are six key projects:
Northern activity precinct –Reconfiguring the northern part of Palm Cove and return underutilised roadway and trafficable areas to green open space
Play precinct – Relocating the existing play facility by moving the children’s playground to a more suitable site further to the north to address safety, access and overcrowding
Harpa St node – Provision of safer pedestrian crossings across Harpa St and Williams Esplanade
Veivers gateway node – Improving traffic flows and pedestrian, cycle and vehicle safety, while creating a sense of arrival for Palm Cove
Public art – Provision of public art opportunities to heighten the unique sense of place and visitor experience for Palm Cove
Feature lighting – Installation of feature lighting that has a synergy with the character and relaxed natural ambience of Palm Cove.
Cr Olds said one of the priorities was to improve safety aspects of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail near carparks in Harpa St and just south of the Williams Esplanade children’s playground where there were conflicts with cars reversing out into the paths of cyclists.
Another was a new toilet similar to the Grafton St facility, which includes landscaping and greenery, in Veivers Rd near the Esplanade. He said better footpaths in the vicinity of Caroyta Close and the Esplanade were also planned.
Cr Olds said as the financial situation improved, he hoped further aspects of the master plan would be implemented. “Palm Cove is the jewel in the crown. A lot of rates come from that 750m long strip,” he said.
At the time of the launch last year Cr Olds said public engagement was critical in identifying what the community valued most in Palm Cove.
“I think the local community will be pleased that their feedback has been incorporated into the plan and will be happy with the projects identified for Palm Cove’s foreshore,” he said. “This is an exciting development, however, we need to be clear that the projects identified in the plan will not be delivered tomorrow. It will take time and many budget deliberations for them to be progressed.”
