After years of controversy, will council accept changes to parking and green space at Crescent Head's foreshore?
A decision will be made at the meeting on Tuesday.
Ellie Chamberlain
October 20, 2025
Kempsey Shire councillors will consider accepting the controversial redesign of Crescent Head’s foreshore – including changes to carparking and green space – during tomorrow’s council meeting.
But first, they will hear from community members and users of the popular foreshore.
📢What’s happening: The proposed plan for Crescent Head’s popular foreshore is coming back to Kempsey Shire Council chambers on Tuesday.
The report is seeking councillor’s approval to adopt the concept redesign and move forward with the project.
A project that promises change: The Crescent Head Foreshore Concept Design includes changes to green space and parking at Crescent Head’s foreshore and Willow Street precincts.
The design plans include a redesign of the current playground, skatepark, surf check area and parking spots.
Foreshore and surf break park concept plan. Kempsey Shire Council Business Papers.
🗓️ How we got here: In August 2021, the Crescent Head community was divided on the foreshore elements of the Public Domain plan.
Councillors supported a notice of motion by Councillor Alexandra Wyatt to report back with an overall concept design that recognised the different needs of the community.
Multiple meetings and actions have been taken in the years since 2021 to get the project off the ground.
Willow Street and Killick Creek concept plan. Kempsey Shire Council Business Papers.
🗒️ The masterplan is adopted: In 2023, following the adoption of the Crescent Head Holiday Park Masterplan, the Community Advisory Group (CAG) was formed to provide insights to the development of a revised Crescent Head foreshore concept design.
The group of 13 community members met on eight occasions. Discussions were focused on parking, traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, surf check area, green space, playground and skatepark location, and market space.
Two rounds of community engagement were conducted seeking feedback from the public.
The final meeting of the CAG was held in September 2025, with the majority of the group in support of the design now finalised as a draft concept for council adoption.
➡️ Final steps: Speakers in support of and opposing the final concept plan are set to speak at a public forum at Kempsey Shire Council Chambers on Monday, October 20, ahead of the decision during Tuesday’s council meeting.
If the recommendation to adopt the design plan is moved, the project will progress to detailed design, cost estimates, and future grant funding applications.
Implementation will be staged subject to council budgets and external funding opportunities. The whole project could take several years.
