Work is set to begin on the final stage of infrastructure upgrades at Emerald Beach, with Fiddaman Road to be realigned as part of a project aimed at improving access, open space and public amenities.
The $3 million project is funded by the City of Coffs Harbour and the Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust and is included in the City’s 2026–27 Operational Plan, adopted on 18 June.
The upgrade follows the completion of earlier works, including a beach access ramp, playground, shelters and amenities building.
“Emerald Beach as its name suggests is one of the jewels of the north and these works are the final element from the Masterplan for the area,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“We’ve already seen the delivery of the beach access ramp and the fantastic new oceanside playground, shelters and amenities building.
“These have been a greatly appreciated by the community who helped inform the design process by voting for the things they wanted to see.”
According to the City, the Fiddaman Road upgrade will include:
- Realignment of the road and installation of traffic-calming measures.
- Additional open space between the road and foreshore, including expanded picnic areas.
- Stormwater improvements.
- Improved pedestrian access to the playground and foreshore.
- Changes to formal and informal parking arrangements within the precinct.
City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick said the project would be delivered through a single worksite rather than in stages.
“Having a single all-of-area worksite means the project can be completed more quickly. It will also make it safer for workers as there will be less interaction with traffic and the like,” Beswick said.
“Doing the project in stages could have added some $300,000 to the cost and there was an increased risk the upgrade would not be delivered ahead of the busier summer holiday period.”
Work is scheduled to begin in July and is expected to be completed before Christmas.
During construction, sections of Fiddaman Road and parts of the reserve will be closed. The beach access ramp will be unavailable, although beach access will remain available at three locations north of the worksite and via the headland stairs to the south.
Access to the playground and public amenities will remain available throughout the works.
The City said a traffic management plan would be implemented to support the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians during construction.
Separately, shade sail poles from the former Emerald Beach playground will be relocated to the playground near the corner of Helen Street and Como Avenue in the new Emerald Beach housing estate, ahead of the installation of shade sails at that site.
Further information on the Emerald Beach Reserve Upgrade: Fiddaman Road realignment project is available via the City’s online project page.
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