Horseshoe Bay headland carpark upgrade to kick off in May

Published on 13 February 2023

Exciting news for visitors and residents of South West Rocks!

Kempsey Shire Council is embarking on a major upgrade to the headland carpark, which will bring a host of new benefits to the area.

The upgrade is part of the Horseshoe Bay Master Plan adopted by Council in 2019 after extensive engagement with residents and the community.

Starting in May of this year, the entire headland carpark (from approximately the current amenities building) and portions of the headland walkway to the surf club will be closed during construction. Although this may cause some inconvenience, vehicles will still be able to use the lower carparks and traffic and pedestrian management signage will be in place to ensure alternate routes are well defined.

The new carpark will feature 55 formal parking spaces, including two accessible spaces, compared to the 37 formal parking spaces and 9 additional informal spaces (totalling 46 spaces) in the current carpark. The new design also allows for large vehicles to turn better and improve circulation of traffic, making it safer and less congested for visitors to find parking or take a look at the location.

Not only will the new carpark be more user-friendly, but it will also be constructed with high-quality and durable products, greatly improving the road surface and ride quality. The upgrade also includes stormwater management improvements, such as concrete kerbs and drains and bioretention swales, which will reduce waste entering the ocean and protect the natural beauty of Horseshoe Bay.

Kempsey Shire Council has allocated a budget of $1.8 million over the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 financial years to make this exciting project a reality. We can't wait to see the positive impact this upgrade will have on the Horseshoe Bay community and visitors to the area.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the works and for more information head to the Horseshoe Bay Foreshore revitalisation project page.