Visitors to Coffs Harbour’s North Coast Regional Botanic Garden can now explore the Coffs Creek estuary from a new 142-metre boardwalk.
The boardwalk winds through mangroves to a bird-viewing platform overlooking the waterway, with signs along the route explaining the estuary ecosystem and the importance of mangrove forests as fish nurseries.
The Coffs Creek estuary is part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park.
“The botanic garden is one of Coffs Harbour’s greatest assets, attracting more than 120,000 visitors every year,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“When tourists think of Coffs Harbour it’s often for our stunning sweeping beaches, but here we have an incredible garden at the heart of the city which has featured regularly on TV lifestyle shows.”
The new structure replaces a timber boardwalk and has been built using fibre-reinforced polymer, which is expected to better withstand the wet and salty coastal environment.
“To minimise environmental impacts the boardwalk piles were driven in by a handheld pneumatic hammer. This was done from an elevated work platform on the old timber boardwalk to mitigate the chance of materials and foreign substances entering the Coffs Creek estuary,” City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick said.
The project cost $601,800, with funding provided through the NSW Government’s Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program and a $100,000 contribution from The Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden.
“The new boardwalk with the new signage will help visitors learn more about the natural world around us,” said Graham Tupper, President of The Friends of the Botanic Garden.
“The botanic garden is a nature refuge surrounded on three sides by the Coffs Creek estuary. The information provided along the new boardwalk explains the value of mangrove forests in protecting our fragile ecosystems.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the project would provide safer access to the natural area.
“This new boardwalk provides the community and visitors with safe access to one of Coffs Harbour’s most important natural assets, while using durable materials designed for the challenging coastal environment,” McBain said.
“The Albanese Government is committed to working alongside state and local governments to support projects that strengthen community infrastructure and help communities recover from disaster events.”
NSW Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the project was an example of recovery funding being used to improve community infrastructure.
“This investment means an important community asset has not simply been replaced but rebuilt with more durable materials that are better suited to the coastal environment and will serve the Coffs Harbour community for years to come,” Saffin said.
“The NSW Government is proud to support projects like this through the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program, helping communities recover while protecting and improving the places that make them special.”
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