Five major projects to reshape Batemans Bay this year – full list
From new roads to leisure parks, multimillion-dollar projects forecast to take shape this year are set to change the way people work and play in Batemans Bay. See the full list.
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After years spent battling bushfires, floods and the Covid pandemic, the Batemans Bay area is set to rebound in a big way with long-term infrastructure projects taking shape this year.
The sight of construction work has long been ubiquitous for residents, with the redevelopment of the Batemans Bay Bridge and the Bay Pavilions, with $600 million spent reshaping the local landscape.
See the full list of projects across the region:
The Bay Pavillions
The multi-million dollar Bay Pavillion project is expected to wrap up this year, with the Eurobodalla Shire Council predicting the massive project will come in under budget.
Construction began on the $58 million aquatic, arts and leisure centre in September 2020.
Featuring a 25 metre pool, a gym and fitness area, an arts and cultural space, and a cafe, the project promised to deliver a range of modern facilities for the Eurobodalla community.
Construction is due to be completed by mid-2022, according to the council.
In September 2021, the council appointed Aligned Leisure to manage the pool and cafe, as well as all the gallery, gym, theatre, and meeting spaces.
The next milestone in construction will be the installation of the water slides, before a six-week fit-out and staff training before the facility can open.
Aligned Leisure Eurobodalla arts and leisure manager, Chris Tague, will oversee operation of the pool, and said he was looking forward to connecting with the community through the new facilities.
“I am honoured to bring to life the vision of the Bay Pavilion precinct,” he said.
“Aquatic, art, fitness and leisure services bring people together, and I am passionate about improving the lives of Eurobodalla residents throughout the Shire”
Funding for the pool was provided in part by grants from the NSW and Australian Governments, totalling $51 million.
The total cost to council stands at $52,802,554.
Batemans Bay Bridge
After work began in early-2019, the upgrade to Batemans Bay Bridge has been one of the largest projects in the region, costing more than a quarter of a billion dollars.
While the new bridge opened to traffic in March 2021, the $274 million project isn’t expected to be completed until early-2023.
A redesign of the foreshore on both sides of the bridge is yet to be finished, and will include a sculpture manufactured using material from the old bridge, according to Transport NSW.
The bridge, which was dismantled in November 2021, was operational for 65 years.
In its place, a range of new amenities will be built, according to transport NSW, including a new lookout and fishing platforms at the old abutment locations.
Work on the bridge will resume on January 10.
Coastal Headlands Walking Trail and Observation Point upgrade
Spanning the lush coastal environment of Batehaven, McKenzies Beach and everything in between, work on the new coastal walking trail will begin this year.
The walk will showcase the region’s natural splendour and Aboriginal heritage, according to the Eurobodalla Shire Council, and will comprise existing natural bush tracks and lookout areas.
“Connecting the villages of Batehaven, Surf Beach and Malua Bay, the Batemans Bay Coastal Headlands Walking Trail will be a beautiful recreational feature for residents and visitors,” the council said.
“Walkers can choose to hike the whole distance in a single day, wander at a more leisurely pace, or take advantage of numerous shorter walks.”
An upgrade of Observation Point began in late-2021, with the expanded trail due to be open to the public in its entirety in June 2023.
“Batehaven‘s Observation Point will serve as a gateway to the trail,” the council said.
“An upgrade of Observation Point will include a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform and lookout points, interpretations of Aboriginal and European cultural and historical information, formal carparking and picnic areas.
“From there, the trail will traverse along the headlands to McKenzies Beach. A smaller network of inland tracks will allow access during high tides and adverse swell conditions.
“The trail will provide safe, year-round access to the headlands and ensure residents retain access to this community land through ongoing maintenance and upkeep by Council.
“The trail will navigate varying landscapes from urban areas to dense forests, and from cliff tops to the ocean foreshore.”
George Bass Drive road realignment
After almost a year, road traffic was finally allowed on George Bass Drive again in December.
The main arterial road had long since been an area prone to road crashes owing to its tight bends, according to the Eurobodalla Regional Council.
By straightening the road and removing the bends between Godfathers Gully Road and Denise Drive, the project is intended to avoid future road accidents.
“The upgrade will significantly improve line of sight for drivers and provide protected right-turn intersections to Grandfathers Gully Road and Denise Drive,” the council said.
“Other road safety improvements include widened lanes, centre-line treatments and shoulders, lighting, delineation and protective fencing.
“The project involves major earthworks and material from the site will be re-used to prepare for broader road safety improvements along the route to Malua Bay and the Guerilla Bay intersection.”
The $4.65 million project is due to be completed in March.
Wet weather in December presented extras challenges, but the council assures residents work will resume in mid-January.
Moruya Hospital
Work is expected to begin on the $260 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital in Moruya in 2022, after the masterplan was revealed last year by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.
The hospital is expected to provide more beds then the current Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined, and will accommodate a level four health facility, according to Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
“We will be delivering so much more than is currently in the district including a new MRI, an 8 bed intensive care unit and enhanced oncology services,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It will be up to the local health district to recruit all of the specialist clinicians necessary to operate a Level 4 hospital and that’s what will be delivered.
“It doesn’t matter whether you live in Narooma, Moruya or Bateman’s Bay you will have outstanding medical care as close to where you live as possible.”
Mr Perrottet said he expected the facility to grow with the residents of the Eurobodalla.
“There’ll be MRI services, greater ED capacity, an ICU/Close Observation Unit and space for staff education and training in one of the largest greenfield hospital developments underway in NSW,” he said.
The hospital is expected to open to patients in 2025.
The facilities will include:
- An emergency department
- An eight bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) /Close Observation Unit (COU)
- Increased capacity for chemotherapy treatments
- Surgical and operating theatres
- Expanded medical imaging, including MRI and additional X-ray
- Ambulatory care for community outpatient services
- Paediatric and maternity services - including inpatient beds
- Flexible mental health beds associated with the medical inpatient unit and
- Enhanced education and training facilities.
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