The Pines Regeneration Project

30 Mar 2026

5 minutes

Latest update

(11 September 2026)

Latest update – The Pines precinct

We’re aware of recent community discussion about works underway in The Pines precinct at Reflections Brunswick Heads. Some information being shared is inaccurate, so we want to clarify the facts.

The Pines is an existing approved camping area.

Reflections’ Licence to Operate allows for up to 26 camping sites in this precinct – sanctioned as part of the Land and Environment Court ruling in 2019. We have chosen instead to use the area for ten low-impact camping tents, which have been approved by Byron Shire Council under Section 68 of the Local Government Act.

Protecting the Coastal Cypress Pines has been central to the design of the precinct. We have worked with ecologists, arborists, landscape architects and planning specialists, removed vehicles from the camping area and continued our Vegetation Management Plan and Cypress Pine regeneration work.

Pedestrian access to Simpsons Creek remains available. As part of the work, we have upgraded the access to Simpsons Creek and included a defined public walking trail along the riverbank through the southern precinct. This trail connects with the broader riverbank walking route. Rather than remove or damage trees to create a uniform setback, we have positioned the fence around some trees to protect them. This means the width of the public walking area varies at some points.

Reflections has not changed the Plan of Management and does not have the authority to do so. Plans of Management are governed by NSW legislation and approved by the Minister for Crown Lands. Reflections operates within that framework as a Category 1 Crown Land Manager.

Our aim is for The Pines precinct to be fully operational in October.

Find out more about The Pines precinct, including answers to frequently asked questions about public access, environmental protection, approvals and the work underway.

Designed to protect

For the past 18 months, Reflections has been working closely with ecologists, landscape architects, and arborists, guided by the Vegetation Management Plan for the holiday park, to develop a design for the southern precinct that expands the Coastal Cypress Pine forest while providing a new accommodation offering.

The existing native Coastal Cypress Pine Forest will be regenerated with new planting and natural regrowth, while plans include a dedicated regeneration zone at the southern end of the precinct to expand the existing forest.

Since 2021, the local Reflections Brunswick Heads team has been working proactively on protecting and preserving the existing Coastal Cypress Pine community while working towards the future regeneration.

The Reflections team has collected thousands of seeds from the area and has worked with a local nursery to propagate seedlings for planting in the regeneration zone and throughout the precinct to significantly bolster the number of Coastal Cypress Pines in this area.

The regeneration zone will be fenced to protect the seedlings as they get established and to prevent damage in the future. Over time, these actions are expected to increase the health, extent and resilience of the forest, providing better habitat for wildlife and preserving the natural character of the area.

Closer to nature

Reflections is creating a new small-scale 10-tent precinct in the currently unused southern precinct of the Reflections Brunswick Heads holiday park.

This small-scale project is part of our mission to help people connect with nature - while protecting and regenerating the environment we care for. The precinct's design considers the fragile environment and the endangered Coastal Cypress Pines community.

What’s included?

Ten low-impact eco tents set on timber platforms with eco anchors (no tent pegs, no concrete footings to minimise the impact on tree root systems)
A new, clear and safe pedestrian access to Simpsons Creek, including repairs to the damaged steps and beach entry. Permits and approvals are being secured before any work in or near Simpsons Creek begins.
Refurbishment of the existing amenities near the exit to The Terrace
Dedicated regeneration zone to protect the endangered Coastal Cypress Pine Forest
No vehicle access into the southern precinct. Dedicated parking for guests will be provided adjacent to the amenities building.

Local benefits

This project balances a low-impact accommodation style with improved guest facilities, access to nature, and support for local businesses.

Reflections is proud to reinvest profits back into the holiday parks and Crown land reserves we care for. This includes projects such as replacing the picnic tables across the reserves, supporting many local community and sporting groups, along with repairs at Massy Greene Foreshore, painting the Housie Shed and replacing the children’s playground in Terrace Park

Reflections attract visitors to Brunswick Heads who spend money in local businesses such as coffee shops, boutiques and the local hotel. Visitors to the region also participate in local tourism experiences, which support these businesses throughout the year.

Timeline

The builder will commence site establishment, including fencing, signage, and disconnection of existing services, from Wednesday, 4 March, with the works officially starting on Monday, 9 March. We will also work closely with the contractor to minimise the construction timeframe.

Construction work will be carried out on weekdays between 7am and 6pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. It is possible that the delivery of equipment or materials may be required outside of the set working hours. Every effort will be made to minimise noise.

Foreshore access

Reflections will implement a more defined walking trail with a perimeter fence at a cost of approximately $60,000. This will run from the tennis court end of the precinct, connecting to the riverbank boundary and continuing through the precinct. This will provide residents with access through the precinct and will ensure safe access to continue during the construction period.

River access

There will be secure, temporary access to the river through the precinct during the construction period. This will provide access for the majority of the work period. We will need to close the river access when the work to upgrade the track down to the river is taking place. Residents will be notified ahead of this closure period.

To help visualise what the changes will look like, the plan below shows the fencing layout and public access points to the creek.

In the plan you can see the location of the 1.2‑metre-high euci fence, along with clearly defined public pathways that maintain access to the creek from both Tweed Street and Nana Street.

Image shows the path up to the pines before.

[1/0] Image shows the path up to the pines before.

Reflections team members

Reflections is the Crown land manager for three holiday parks in Brunswick Heads and significant areas of Crown land, which are community reserve spaces such as Banner Park and Torakina Park. We employ local people who are a part of the Brunswick Heads community. Many have children at local schools, participate in local community activities, and care deeply for the land they work and play on. Community feedback is often directed at our local team, who are incredibly busy operating the holiday parks and looking after the Crown reserves for the enjoyment of guests and visitors.

If you have feedback for Reflections, please complete the feedback form below, and we’ll respond directly to you.

Downloadable information:

Frequently asked questions

Please check the Frequently Asked Questions for a summary of key topics.

Is The Pines a new camping area?

The Pines is an existing approved camping area within Reflections Brunswick Heads.

Reflections’ Licence to Operate allows for up to 26 camping sites in this precinct. Reflections has chosen to establish ten low-impact stationary camping tents to protect the Coastal Cypress Pines and the environment.

The tents have been approved by Byron Shire Council under Section 68 of the Local Government Act.

Why are there only ten tents in the precinct?

The precinct has been deliberately designed to reduce its impact on the surrounding environment and, in particular, the endangered Coastal Cypress Pines.

Limiting the area to ten stationary tents means there is no regular setting up and packing down of campsites and fewer guests use this part of the park. Vehicles have also been removed from the camping area, with guest parking provided in a central area near the amenities.

Can the community still walk along the Simpsons Creek foreshore?

Yes. Public pedestrian access along the foreshore remains available.

As part of the project, Reflections has created a defined public walking trail along the riverbank through the southern precinct and invested in upgrading access to Simpsons Creek for the community and park guests.

The walking trail connects with the broader riverbank route. In some locations the trail narrows because endangered Coastal Cypress Pines are growing within the setback area. Rather than remove or damage these trees to create a uniform setback, the fence has been positioned around them.

Why is there a gate at the Tweed Street end?

The Tweed Street end of the precinct is the main regeneration area for the endangered Coastal Cypress Pines. The gate helps protect this area while Reflections staff and contractors undertake regeneration work.

A pedestrian link between Tweed Street and the foreshore trail is being completed in conjunction with regeneration planting under the Vegetation Management Plan. This work is not yet finished. Until planting begins, pedestrians can continue to access the foreshore trail through this area, or use The Terrace to walk towards the town centre.

Why has fencing been installed?

The fencing has two purposes: protecting the sensitive Coastal Cypress Pine environment and providing appropriate safety and security for guests staying within the holiday park.

Reflections has experienced incidents across the Brunswick Heads parks and reserves including unauthorised access to amenities, vandalism, theft and environmental damage. The fencing forms part of managing those risks.

We also note recent social media content threatening damage to Reflections property, which we take seriously and further reinforces the need for these security measures.

Why was this style of timber fence chosen?

The Euci, or eucalyptus-stick, fence was selected in part because of its environmental characteristics. Its design allows wildlife to move through the landscape to access food, water and shelter, while the rough timber provides grip for climbing animals.

Why isn't there a three-metre setback along the entire foreshore?

For most of the new foreshore walking trail, the setback is three metres.

There are several locations where endangered Coastal Cypress Pines are growing within the setback area. Achieving a consistent three metres in these locations would require the removal of those trees. Instead, Reflections has positioned the fence around the trees to minimise impacts on them, meaning the width of the walking area varies at some points.

What happens to the foreshore trail around the permanent residences?

There are six permanent dwellings located along Simpsons Creek. Five of these prevent a continuous three-metre setback along this section of the riverbank.

The permanent resident arrangements pre-date Reflections' management of The Terrace Holiday Park, and Reflections does not have the authority to move those residents.

Public access continues through this section, with the walking route moving away from the foreshore for a short distance behind the permanent dwellings before reconnecting with the foreshore.

Has Reflections changed the Plan of Management to undertake these works?

No. Reflections has not changed the Plan of Management and does not have the authority to do so.

Plans of Management are governed by NSW legislation and approved by the Minister for Crown Lands. Reflections operates within this framework as a Category 1 Crown Land Manager.

Were the works in the southern precinct approved?

The works in the southern precinct were carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Land & Environment Court Order, the Vegetation Management Plan, existing Plan of Management and Council approval.

Did Reflections consult the community?

Reflections is not required to conduct a formal community consultation process.

However, Reflections elected to engage with the residents directly opposite The Pines Precinct and held an information session for neighbouring residents in February. Since that time, Reflections has maintained a community information webpage and provided weekly project updates. These updates were also emailed each week to residents who registered to receive them.

Is The Terrace Holiday Park simply public reserve that anyone can access?

The land is Crown land, but different Crown reserves have different purposes and management arrangements.

Torakina Reserve, Terrace Reserve and Banner Park provide areas for community access. The holiday park has an operational boundary within which holiday park rules apply. Reflections has also provided a route through the park for community access to Simpsons Creek.