Urunga foreshore improvements make it accessible for all

The Morgo Street Reserve in Urunga has received half a million dollars in accessibility improvements through a joint initiative between the Bellingen Shire Council and Reflections Holidays.

On the back of Council’s award-winning Inclusive Tourism Strategy, the first in NSW, Bellingen Shire Council set about engaging with Reflections Holidays about improvements to the Urunga foreshore – one of the Shire’s most popular tourist attractions.

An application was made to the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund (RTAF) and in 2022, the Urunga Inclusive Tourism Upgrade project successfully received funding for just shy of half a million dollars.

The project has seen access improvements right across the reserve and includes:

• A new fully accessible amenities block with the old amenities demolished and removed
• An upgrade to the main pathway which has seen it widened
• A new pathway from the carpark to the new amenities and from the amenities to the playground
• A new pathway from the BBQ area to the playground
• A new pathway and ramp to the performance stage
• A new picnic bench that allows for wheelchair access
• A new bubbler installed
• Landscaping works

“Being able to share our beautiful places and spaces with everyone is so important. These improvements will ensure the Urunga foreshore is inclusive and accessible for all – whether that is a parent with a pram or someone with mobility issues,” said Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Cr. Steve Allan.

“Access means you can go anywhere you want to, and inclusion is about making people feel welcome no matter what your abilities are. These improvements took on the universal design principles of design everything with everyone in mind. I am excited to see the results of this project and how it will benefit the whole community.”

Reflections Holidays CEO Nick Baker said the partnership between Reflections, a Crown Land Manager that reinvests profit back into its holiday parks and the nature reserves in its care, was a shining example of how a united approach benefits regional communities.

"Partnering with Bellingen Shire Council on this project enabled us to really understand the priorities for improvement at the Reserve, a much-loved community asset and tourist destination," Mr Baker said.

"Accessibility is fundamental to communities and we congratulate Council on their hard work on this important project to improve and protect this beautiful Reserve for the enjoyment of locals, Reflections guests and tourists in general."

Bellingen Shire Council was pleased to be able to partner with Reflections to see this project come to fruition to the benefit of the community and visitors.

With more accessible improvements in the pipeline, including the Urunga Boardwalk upgrade, Council is showing leadership in making the Bellingen Shire a place that is truly inclusive for all.

This project was made possible through funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund (RTAF).