Seaforth Esplanade Redevelopment

Concept for the new recreation hub showcases Seaforth's potential

After conducting extensive consultation with the community, council is excited to unveil the concept design for the new recreation hub in Seaforth Esplanade Reserve.

The concept has considered residents’ feedback and will be used to progress with the next stage of this project.

Earlier this month, JFP Urban Design Consultants, who worked on the initial master plan for Seaforth Esplanade, were appointed to start work on the detailed design for this project.

Mayor Greg Williamson said there was plenty of excitement surrounding the project.

“We want to transform Seaforth Esplanade into a vibrant and exciting space where residents and visitors to the area can spend quality time with their families,” he said.

“The release of the concept plan means we are one step closer to realising this vision as we progress with work on the detailed design.

“The new recreation hub, which will showcase Seaforth’s swimming enclosure as its centrepiece, will include two new playground area catering to a wide range of ages, a coastal walk, new and improved amenities and path connections as well as much needed extension to the existing car park area.

“Most exciting however is the plan to create an all-abilities water play area to replace the old wading pool. This new attraction incorporates an oversized splash pad area with various water jets and sprays modelled on local marine life and corals, as well as a 15cm shallow pool that will mimic the ocean’s tidal movements.

“New customised shelters will help shade not only the water play area and traditional play equipment, but also offer the ideal beachside picnic area, complete with BBQ facilities.

“The whole area is inspired by Seaforth’s beach and the aquatic animals that call it home, and we can’t wait to see it come to life in the detailed design.”

The detailed design is expected to be completed by August and construction is expected to commence in 2022.

Click here to view the full Seaforth Esplanade Stage 1 Concept Plan document.

Above: Waterplay concept plan

Above: Stage 1 concept plan

Meet the design team behind Seaforth Esplanade's upgrades

Residents are being invited to learn more about the Seaforth Esplanade Park later this month.

Council is holding two community workshops to discuss concepts and ideas for the first stage of improvements.

The first stage focusses on plans for the new recreation hub, which will feature playground facilities, a waterplay area to replace the aged wading pool, new public toilets, and a revamp of the existing picnic area facilities.

Seaside holidays, the Great Barrier Reef and the sea creatures that call it home have been used as the inspiration for the design of the play spaces.

Meet with the design team and find out more about this project at the workshops being held on Thursday, January 28.

There are two sessions on offer - 4pm to 5pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Seaforth Community Hall, Prince Charles Avenue.

Can’t make a workshop? Don’t worry, you can participate online. All information presented at the workshops will be available to view online by visiting connectingmackay.com.au/seaforth-esplanade from Thursday, January 28, 2021.

Council will be accepting feedback at the workshops and online from Thursday, January 28, to Sunday, February 21, 2021.

WORKSHOPS

> Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021
>Time: 4pm to 5pm, or 6.30pm to 7.30pm
> Location: Seaforth Community Hall, Prince Charles Avenue, Seaforth

Download the invitation

Take a look at what’s in store for Seaforth Esplanade

The Mayor and councillors will attend the weekly markets at Seaforth on Sunday, October 25 from 9am to 10am.

They will be joined by members from the Hibiscus Coast Progress and Sports Association to discuss the master plan for the Seaforth Esplanade with residents and interested members of the public.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the plan will transform Seaforth Esplanade into a vibrant space where residents and visitors could spend quality time with their family.

“The plan recommends creating a new recreation hub directly opposite the swimming enclosure, which will be retained as the centrepiece to this new attraction for the Hibiscus Coast,” he said.

“Initial works will develop a comprehensive playground within the hub, and a contemporary-style water play feature will replace the aged wading pool. The existing picnic area and public amenities will also be upgraded.

“Full advantage is taken of the site’s many mature trees, some of which are historically significant. The mango trees that are much-loved by local residents will be retained and protected as each stage of the master plan is implemented.”

Opportunities for more car parking and a coastal walk taking advantage of views to the beach has also been included in the plan for the hub. Longer term new cross-park connections will be constructed allowing pedestrians and cyclists to access the beachfront more easily.

Learn more about what’s in store for the Seaforth Esplanade at the information stall at the regular weekly Seaforth markets on Sunday, October 25, at Seaforth Esplanade. The Mayor and councillors will be available to chat with residents from 9am to 10am.

Download the final master plan from Connecting Mackay and stay informed on this project by subscribing to its project update emails. Visit www.connectingmackay.com.au/seaforth-esplanade

You're invited to the Seaforth Esplanade information stall

Council has been working closely with the Hibiscus Coast Progress and Sports Association (HCPSA) to create a master plan for the development of the Seaforth Esplanade.

A key objective of this project is to identify the community’s priorities for additional recreational infrastructure in the beachside park, to increase the liveability of Seaforth and attract visitors to the Hibiscus Coast.

Over the past 16 weeks considerable feedback has been collected from the community. In response to the many ideas and concerns raised, a master plan has evolved and gone through several changes before being finalised. You can visit Connecting Mackay to view the final master plan.

The initial high-level planning phase of this project has now closed. The next phase will be to develop a detailed design of the first stage of the park’s improvement.

We invite you to our display and to meet with councillors and HCPSA members. Council staff will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the next phase of this exciting project.

The swimming enclosure will feature as the centrepiece of this new attraction. In Stage 1A of the works, council plans to deliver:

• a comprehensive children’s playground which caters for toddlers through to older children
• a new water play feature to replace the aged wading pool which will be accessible to all and open throughout the year
• new toilet facilities, change rooms and access to beach showers
• increased car parking
• the start of a coastal walk to improve access to the beach and swimming enclosure.

The historic and much-loved mango trees, figs, Kauri and Northfolk Pines will be retained as important features of the park. The existing coconuts, where feasible, will be integrated into the design of the new recreation hub.

> Date: Sunday, October 25, 2020
> Time: 8.30am to 12pm (Councillors on-site from 9am to 10am)
> Location: Seaforth Community Markets in the Seaforth Esplanade Reserve

Click here to view the final master plan.

Comment on the ideas for the Seaforth Esplanade's Recreation Hub

We welcome feedback on the Recreation Hub document. Click here to and go to the bottom of this web page to comment.
Feedback is open to Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 11.59pm.

Click here to read the Recreation Hub document

Plans to transform Seaforth Esplanade unveiled -

Feedback open on master planning document

Master planning for an exciting upgrade of the Seaforth Esplanade is almost complete but you still have time to have your say, with feedback open until September 6 at 11.59pm.

Council has been releasing updates as planning for the site has progressed over the last six weeks via its Connecting Mackay website.

Council has also been working closely with the Hibiscus Coast Progress and Sports Association to make sure that everyone has had the opportunity to contribute their ideas and raise any concerns.

This document contains:

• a summary of the planning constraints and opportunities identified for the site
• a more precise statement of the planning objectives for each of the four focus topics – Recreation, Community, Environment and Connection
• updated diagrams illustrating the strategies to provide more flexibility and better connection
• additional notes helping the reader interpret the master planning diagrams.

We welcome feedback on the information posted here. Please tell us if we got it right, what we might have missed or even got wrong. Click the "Master Plan Feedback" tab to make your comments.

Click here to download the Master Plan document.
Click here to read further details in the media release.

Read about the Objectives and Strategies for the draft master plan

We welcome feedback on the information posted here. Please tell us if we got it right, what we might have missed or even got wrong. Click the "Master Plan Feedback" tab to make your comments.

Click here to read this update.

Read about the Opportunities & Constraints

The Planning Team has identified the opportunities and constraints presented by the site which will influence how the Seaforth Esplanade can be improved.

This analysis has considered and been structured around the following five themes:

• Recreational values
• Community values
• Environmental values
• Access and connection
• Identify and legality

We welcome feedback on the team's findings. Please tell us if we got it right, what we might have missed or even got wrong. Click the "Master Plan Feedback" tab to make your comments.

Click here to read this update.

Read about the Overview & Vision, Site Description, Policies, Plans & Reports

We welcome feedback on the information posted here. Please tell us if we got it right, what we might have missed or even got wrong. Click the "Master Plan Feedback" tab to make your comments.

Click here to read this update.