Masterplan for the largest recreational area in Suffolk Park released for public comment

Members of the community can have their say on the plans for the 4.5 hectare area, the largest park in the vicinity, over the coming weeks.

The Linda Vidler Park in Suffolk Park.

Members of the public have been given until July 5 to have their say on a draft masterplan for a Suffolk Park recreational area.

Linda Vidler Park is 4.5ha in size, the largest recreational area in the vicinity.

Byron Shire Council has placed a draft masterplan for the park on public exhibition.

The park is already home to a football field, skate park, pump track, tennis and basketball courts, bocce green, community garden and playgrounds.

The council’s director of infrastructure services, Phil Holloway, said the masterplan was a significant step to lay out the park’s future.

Byron Shire Council has placed the Linda Vidler Park Draft Masterplan on public exhibition.

“This Masterplan is very important because when it is finalised it provides a very clear blueprint for what the park will look like in the future,” Mr Holloway said.

“There is no doubt we will be building new facilities in the future as well as refurbishing some of the existing facilities, such as the skatepark, and the Masterplan is necessary when we are seeking grant funding for these projects.”

The draft masterplan is designed to be a vision for the park to cater to all parts of the community.

The council has said stakeholders consulted in its creation included the Arakwal Corporation, the Suffolk Park Progress Association, Suffolk Park Football Association and the Suffolk Park Community Gardens.

In addition to the facilities that already exist at the park, the draft masterplan includes plans for:

• Shelters, seating and water fountains
• Potential extension of football clubhouse facilities
• Exercise station
• Nature play area
• Area for Indigenous food planting
  
• Improved access, circulation and connectivity including paths through nearby bush
  
• Cultural and environmental interpretation
  
• Potential use for community events including markets

Submissions on the Draft Linda Vidler Park Masterplan can be lodged through the Your Say Byron Shire website until July 5.

A further report on the draft masterplan is expected to be presented to the council’s meeting in July.