Work to improve Albert Bamman Memorial Park’s access and facilities is set to begin. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
It’s the moment the community has been waiting for – more than $1 million worth of upgrades to the Malua Bay beach reserve are set to begin this February.
In May 2022, residents were asked to have their say and provide feedback on the draft design of Albert Bamman Memorial Park in Malua Bay.
The $1.4m of upgrades were proposed to better meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities, and upgrade existing facilities.
After collecting the community’s feedback and suggestions, Eurobodalla Shire Council saw the draft of the project was well received and gave the green light to start the improvements. The designs were finalised in November 2022.
They start with a footpath upgrade and a new accessible viewing platform at the northern end of the beach.
Eurobodalla Council project manager Chris Teague said these steps were part of a bigger project.
“Over the year, we’ll be installing new playground equipment, new toilet facilities, larger picnic tables, additional seating and shade, a basketball half-court, as well as improving pathways,” Mr Teague said.
“The work will be inclusive and environmentally sensitive.”
The benefits the upgrades will bring to the community in Malua Bay include improved access, new playground equipment with options for people of all ages, dedicated spaces for the youth to hang out in, and environmental protection of fragile foreshore areas and dunes.
Suggestions to the council that were incorporated into the design include the relocation of the toilets, improved beach access, expanding the play area, adding to the exercise equipment, using solar panels, installing LED lighting and EV charging stations, and showcasing more Aboriginal cultural heritage design.
The Malua Bay beach reserve master plan. Image: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Other elements set to improve Albert Bamman Memorial Park include creating a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform and building shared pathways.
The park upgrade follows a recommendation in Eurobodalla’s Recreation and Open Space Strategy that incorporates community suggestions, feedback from the Mogo and Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Councils, local historical societies, and the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Youth, Disability, Aboriginal and Heritage Advisory committees.
“One of the obvious new inclusions is the basketball half-court, which was an improvement strongly supported by the community,” Mr Teague said.
“The large picnic shelter, new tables and a wheelchair-accessible barbecue have been made possible thanks to Lions.”
The park upgrade is being delivered with funding from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play program, the Lions District 201N2 Disaster Recovery Fund and Eurobodalla Council.
For more information about the upgrades in Malua Bay, visit the council’s website.
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