PROTECTION & REVITALISATION OF KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT July 2016 Prepared for: Tweed Shire Council Prepared by: Business Sense
THE REGION
Northern Rivers | Tweed
Tweed Shire is located in the northeast corner of New South Wales, about 860 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD and around 100 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD. Tweed Shire covers 1303 square kilometres and adjoins the NSW shires of Byron, Lismore and Kyogle, with the NSW/Queensland border to its north where it divides the twin towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. Tweed is the largest local government area in the Northern Rivers region. The Northern Rivers is forecast to be the fastest growing region in NSW during the next twenty years, with population forecast to grow at 1.2% per annum (0.4% above the state average). According to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aging, the Northern Rivers region is projected to grow from 283,615 in 2007 to 359,720 in 2027. This population growth is driving high investment and employment growth, bringing demand for infrastructure e.g. houses, roads, and shopping centres; and demand for retail and financial products, health and education services, and other community services. For the past previous 3 years, Tweed itself has had one of the fastest and largest population growths in NSW, growing by over 2000 people per year and reaching over 91,210 residents in 2014 (ERP ABS 2015). The population is estimated to reach more than 126,000 by 2036. The diverse population is geographically spread between urban communities, coastal and rural towns and more than fifteen villages. For more than a decade the Kingscliff area has seen exponential growth elevating it from a coastal village to a key subregional centre servicing the Tweeds network of coastal villages. With new residential releases to meet increased demand from people migrating to the area from predominantly Sydney, Kingscliff will soon surpass the population threshold of a small coastal city with a population of over 20,000 residents. The Kingscliff coastline features numerous world-class surf beaches cradled between headlands. The potential for sustainable economic growth based on developing tourism in the area is significant. However, the area adjacent to Marine Parade (the main street) is subject to immediate risk from coastal erosion, which threatens public and private infrastructure, and ultimately businesses and dwellings, and severely limits the economic growth potential of the immediate area.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
Background Purpose Economic Benefits Social Benefits Environmental Benefits
9 10 11 12 12
8
2. Methodology 14 2.1 Potential Limitations
16
17
3. REGIONAL PROFILE 4. SCOPE & BACKGROUND 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6
Planned Outcomes Timeframes & Milestones Seawall Beach Access Central Park Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park
5. Do Nothing Approach 6. Economic benefits 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6
Cost Benefit Analysis Economic Impact Assessment Loss of Economic Benefits Improved Amenity & Land Values Improved Health Increases in Revenue
22 23 25 29 29 31
40 42 42 43 44 45
7. Social benefits 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4
Sustainable Procurement Climate Change Stormwater Management Education
8. Environmental benefits 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4
Educational Benefits Community Cohesion Cohesion & Climate Change Socio-Cultural Development
49 49 50 51
59 59 59 59
Funding Arrangement Asset Management Project Management Risk Management
60 63 63 64 66 67
11. Strategic Alignment 11.1 RDA Northern Rivers 11.2 Northern Rivers Social Plan 11.3 NSW 2021 11.4 Visitor Economy Action Plan 11.5 Tweed Community Strategic Plan 11.6 North Coast Destination M’mt Plan 11.7 Tweed Economic Dev’mt Plan 11.8 Kingscliff & Cudgen Locality Plan 11.9 Tweed Sports Field Strategy 11.10 Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan
53
62
10. PROJECT DELIVERY 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4
35 39
47
9. Community Education 9.1 Project Delivery
20
69 70 71 71 72 72 73 73 74 75 75
12. REFERENCES 76 13. ANNEXURES 79
©Copyright Tweed Shire Council This work is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owners. Information may not be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission. Disclaimer The authors do not warrant that the information in this document is free from errors or omissions. The authors do not accept any form of liability, be it contractual, tortious, or otherwise, for the contents of this document or for any consequences arising from its use or any reliance placed upon it. The information, opinions and advice contained in this document may not relate, or be relevant, to a particular reader’s circumstance. Opinions expressed by the authors are the individual opinions expressed by those persons and are not necessarily those of the publisher, research provider or Tweed Shire Council.
REGIONAL CONTEXT Tweed
Northern Rivers
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6,679 REGISTERED BUSINESSES 2014
91,210 POPULATION ABS ERP 2015
$2.816B
TWEED REGION
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT (NIEIR 2014)
28,780 LOCAL JOBS
125,953 2036 POPULATION
Health care &social Assistance LARGEST INDUSTRY
TOTAL PROJECT COST
TOTAL FUNDS REQUESTED
$9.8M
$21.21M
46%
CONFIRMED PARTNER FUNDING
$11.4M 54%
KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROTECTION & REVITALISATION
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Foreshore Protection
$8,818,100
•
Rock seawall protection of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park
•
Protection of community and associated infrastructure adjacent to the CBD
•
Stepped 5m high concrete seawall opposite Kingscliff Central Park
•
Accessible beach access points connecting beach and community hub to CBD
•
Stormwater drainage runoff quality and control
Kingscliff Central Park
$4,861,400
•
Enlarged Cenotaph Area
•
Recreational activities: skateboard area, half basketball court, fitness equipment
•
3.5m Board walk/cycleway to link with the Tweed and Gold Coast’s Cycleways
•
Additional public parking
•
New park furniture / amenities / viewing platforms/landscaping
•
Refurbishment of the existing Kingscliff Community Hall
•
Amphitheatre
•
Facilities for youth and disadvantaged groups including aged and disabled
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park Upgrade $7,525,900 •
New amenities block / park buildings
•
Reduction in area to 60 sites
•
Improved facilities to provide a high standard park
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PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT 7 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
1. EXECUTIVE Summary The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project will see the permanent protection of the foreshore, creation of a central park with active and passive space and revitalisation of a key tourism asset, the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park. The Project will transform Kingscliff and will trigger urban revitalisation that will beautify the foreshore corridor and make it a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project focuses on the reinvigoration of the Kingscliff foreshore through the creation of a central community hub, redevelopment of community and tourism infrastructure and, importantly, connection of the walking, cycleway and beach to the Main Street and Central Business District. A critical element of this project is the construction of a permanent seawall to protect the public and central business district from coastal erosion and natural events.
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This project will significantly contribute to the economic counterbalance required to meet with the direct impact and cost of coastal erosion on Kingscliff, an impact that has left the majority of the foreshore and adjacent CBD uneconomical to develop. The completion of the Project will act as a catalyst for further public infrastructure and attract private sector development due to minimising risk of damage from erosion and natural events caused by climate change. Presently, development of both public and private infrastructure is inhibited due to the lack of a permanent solution for foreshore protection adjacent to the central business district.
In addition, the Project elements will provide a stronger relationship between the park, the beach and the central business district of Kingscliff. The Project objectives will be realised by upgrading the existing Holiday Park and reducing its area, to allow for the creation of a community park opposite the Kingscliff central business district. The proposed features for the park include recreational facilities for the aged, disabled and youth, improved beach access, enlarged Cenotaph area, new amenities block, boardwalk with viewing platforms, barbeques, picnic shelters and landscaping. The improved community hall will create a central community hub for festivals and events. Kingscliff’s revitalisation will draw on its unique identity, provide facilities for the increasing population, employment opportunities and create a contemporary and vibrant beach destination. It will also enhance Kingscliff Beach’s role as a meeting place, providing a welcoming space for families, recreation, leisure, sporting and community groups. The Project will ensure, through significant infrastructure enhancements, value for money and a return on investment for the Tweed Region and the Commonwealth Government.
1.1 Background Tweed Shire Council undertook an extensive process to develop a Coastline Management Plan for the 37 kilometres of coastline under its management. The only section of public (or private) land that was identified as having significant assets within the ‘Immediate Hazard Zone’ was a section of coastline at Kingscliff.
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This section of the coastline is located directly adjacent to the central business district of Kingscliff, the Kingscliff Beach Bowling Club, The Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club. The coastline headland has been severely damaged by coastal erosion and has had significant environmental, economic and social impacts on the Tweed Community. Estimates of the loss of income due to erosion were provided by representatives from the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park (KBHP), Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club (CHSLC) and by Marine Parade business owners, and are in the order of 30-40%. The community of Tweed has invested over $1.98 million over the last 5 years alone for temporary fixes and access ways to maintain the beach foreshore. Due to the erosion and lack of permanent protection, the public and private assets located adjacent to the foreshore, have become run down and degraded. The current park is small, cluttered and unsightly; the community hall degraded and there is no access for the public from the beach to the main street. No major redevelopment of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park can occur without first ensuring the protection of the Park from coastal erosion and recession. The approved final design for revitalisation of the Park considers the requirements that would arise from the design and implementation of protection works. The ongoing upgrade and continued profitability of Tweed Coast Holiday Parks is important to Tweed Shire as the profit from these parks, on reserved Crown Land, assists with the maintenance of the other hundreds of hectares of coastal Crown Lands that are under the care and control of Council.
The Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan was completed in early 2007 and this Business Case forms the second part of the project to support funding applications to enable the implementation of the Plan. The Masterplan was prepared to guide planning and decision making in order to improve the amenity and attractiveness of both the foreshore and Kingscliff. Analysis of the economic, social and environmental aspects of the options then provides a robust and rigorous basis for decision-making.
This project will result in a myriad of benefits. It provides security for the Kingscliff foreshore; it provides new open community space; it enhances and sustains the profitability of the holiday park; it protects the main commercial precinct and the many shops fronting the foreshore; and it will assist in maintaining the beach and foreshore, which are a major economic driver and tourism attraction of the area. It also creates a more functional community centre in the middle of town and creates additional parking capacity to support local businesses and the foreshore park.
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1.2 Purpose Kingscliff has reached a point where the need for a permanent infrastructure solution is critical to preserving the Kingscliff foreshore from severe erosion therefore protecting public and private infrastructure. The Project is driven by the community of Kingscliff and broader Tweed Region, which has been severely affected over the past ten years by the continual erosion of the beach. Key issues and opportunities for the foreshore were sought through extensive consultation with both the local community and other stakeholders, in order to develop a strategic direction that is reflective of the local community’s wants and needs. The Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan is a direct result of extensive consultation with the community, business owners and government stakeholders. Council is seeking to facilitate sustainable and site responsive development and the Project, being the implementation of the Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan, is essential to help achieve this. The Masterplan provides the objectives and principles that have been defined through consultation to improve both the quality of life experienced by local residents and visitors, as well as assist and enhance the economic performance of the town. The Project builds on previous work undertaken by the Council that assists with the protection and reinvigoration of the foreshore and Main Street to both attract visitors and show confidence to the community in facing the severe impacts of continual beach erosion.
1.3
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
The Project’s completion will have significant economic benefits, both direct and indirect. Direct benefits include employment during and post construction and contribution to the economy through the purchase of materials. The project will generate indirect benefits in multiple ways. Improved amenity in a key area of the CBD leading to increased value of properties and a flow on for commercial return from investment, improved health of the community with resultant cost savings for the government, greater opportunity for tourism and other special events are a few of these benefits that will be realised. Tweed Shire Council commissioned an independent cost-benefit analysis to identify, quantify and compare the costs and benefits of the Project. The benefits and costs were compared against a baseline, which was the equivalent of maintaining the status quo, in this case not undertaking the Foreshore Protection works, upgrading the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park or providing upgrades to other facilities. The cost-benefit analysis was based on the assumption that the various components of the Project are interlinked but are predicated on protection of the foreshore.
Continued coastal erosion of the Kingscliff foreshore will have a detrimental impact on tourism locally, a significant contributor to the area’s economy. Using tourism data for visitation to Kingscliff, the analysis determined an estimate of the size of the tourism impact. With the central discount rate of 7 per cent, the Project has a benefit cost ratio of 2.72 and a Net Present Value of $35 million.
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As the benefit cost ratio is greater than 1 and the net present value is positive, the Project can be deemed an efficient use of funds. Based on the information provided by Tweed Shire Council, the estimated economic impact of the construction phase on Tweed LGA is: Year 1: $6.1 million in GRP | 48 FTE Year 2: $5.3 million in GRP | 44 FTE Year 3: $8.0 million in GRP | 69 FTE It should be noted that the above estimates of the economic impact are not cumulative but reflect the impact, including flow-on effects, in the year in which the expenditure was made. The cost-benefit analysis identified a range of other negative economic outcomes if the Project does not proceed:
•
Loss of personal income tax revenue if individuals employed in tourism-related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally;
•
Increased welfare payments if individuals employed in tourism-related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally and consequently seek to access Centrelink or other benefits;
•
Decreased payroll tax revenue, reducing accruals to the State government; and
•
Increase in unemployment levels locally, with the associated negative impacts on health, crime statistics and other social implications.
1.4
Social Benefits
The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project will deliver many social benefits for the community of Kingscliff and wider region including building community pride, education benefits for children, encouraging social connectivity, providing access and linkages and reducing crime in the Region. Evidence also suggests that public spaces such as Central Park can offer opportunities for people who may not normally interact to come together, and help develop social ties and community cohesion. This is particularly useful for groups in the Kingscliff Region community who are more vulnerable to social exclusion, such as older and younger people, and ethnic minorities. These benefits are significant due to the disruption and negative social effects on the Kingscliff community of severe erosion events impacting the foreshore over the past ten years. Through the completion of the project, the community will regain confidence and sense of identity in the face of change.
1.5
Environmental Benefits
There are many benefits to the environment through the construction of the seawall and creation of the Central park with open and active spaces. Protection of the foreshore and removal of Holiday Park infrastructure will allow native planting to be undertaken. This will provide habitat for native species allowing an increase in ecological significance for the Central Park area. Stormwater runoff from Marine Parade will be treated using biofiltration,
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This process will remove pollution such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen and phosphorus from stormwater runoff. The biofiltration process will allow ‘clean’ water to infiltrate to the groundwater and minimise the erosive effects of stormwater on the beach. Strengthening the coastal footpath and cycleway will ensure active transport opportunities continue to provide an attractive alternative to road based transport, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving health outcomes. The current temporary solution of sand bagging has not only become unsightly but provides a risk to public safety. The installation of the seawall will ensure the safety of all users by replacing the degraded sandbags and provide permanent stability of the foreshore. As sand dunes are rebuilt through the natural and artificial nourishment, these dunes will be stabilised through the re-establishment of native vegetations. This improves the habitat for coastal flora and fauna and improves the resilience of the beach to erosion. There is the opportunity to provide educational and interpretive signage as part of the development of the project to increase awareness about the environmental values of the area. The Project builds on previous work undertaken by the Council to assist to protect and reinvigorate the foreshore and Main Street to both attract visitors and show confidence to the community facing the severe impacts of continual beach erosion.
Table 1: Summary of Project Benefits (2006) Climate change (driver)
Principal direct physical and ecosystem effects
Sustain and increase Tourism to Tweed. Economic Health
Potential secondary and indirect impacts • • • • • • • • • • •
Physical
Private and public assets
• •
• •
Social
Increased Tourism through adding to destination appeal. Hosting of Events and Festivals
• • • • • • •
Environmental
• • •
Creation of direct and indirect employment Hosting of events may generate internal surpluses Visitor expenditure and associated multiplier effects increased demand for goods and services Extension of tourist season - smooth out cyclical demand Improved health through physical activity will have cost savings for all levels of Government Increased generation of funds through Holiday Park development going into foreshore management Relatively low capital cost now and future compared with defensive works and Annual maintenance costs to ratepayers Regeneration and beautification of run down areas Stimulation of beautification of commercial buildings in CBD Reduces coastal hazard risks to foreshore land and provides a level of security to built assets for the life of the seawall (~50 years) Visual amenity - the view from the beach towards land, the view from the land out to sea Keeping the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park, Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club & Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club where they are Entertainment and social opportunities for local residents through increased events/festivals Increase in the level of local interest in the activity associated with the event Opportunity for inter-cultural contact through tourism visitation and hosting of events and festivals Bring a sense of belonging and sharing to the community Increased regional profile Increased local pride Greater cultural diversity Increased community cohesion High value natural foreshore and beach system will develop and remain over time Natural beach and foreshore is a high value asset with minimal maintenance input Natural erosion buffer provided by beach sand reserves. A ‘natural’ beach will exist
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2. METHODOLOGY
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2. METHODOLOGY Tweed Shire Council has engaged Business Sense to prepare a business case for the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project. The business case has three primary objectives:
•
•
•
Due to the long history of the Project and scope, detail clearly the Project scope and rationale behind the Project. To present decision-makers with key information on the Project in a consistent, balanced format that facilitates the evaluation, comparison and prioritisation of competing initiatives. To ensure that resources are allocated based on a sound business rationale and consistent with the priorities of the Federal Government Policies.
A comprehensive review of the literature was carried out to locate all relevant studies from Australia and internationally. Economics and ‘grey literature’ databases were searched using relevant search terms tailored to each research question including variants on the search terms. A review of Tweed Shire Council’s existing strategies relating to the Project was undertaken including but not limited to:
•
Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan
•
Tweed Shire Council Community Strategic Plan
•
Sports Fields and Reserves Policy
•
Tweed Economic Development Strategy
•
Youth Strategy and Action Plan
•
Access and Inclusion Plan
•
Kingscliff Context Issues & Opportunities Paper
•
Various Foreshore Planning Documents including but not limited to the Tweed Coastline Management Study, Tweed Coastline Management Plan Report, and Tweed Coastline Hazard Definition Study Report.
In light of the limitations discussed in the next section, this report draws on national and international literature to support the Project and have been threaded through the report to help illustrate certain points. Wherever possible, examples have been chosen that have been evaluated and are considered to have a reasonable evidence base. These include:
•
Various climate change and erosion reports
•
External reports citing Kingscliff
•
Australian Parliamentary reports and citations including but not limited to House debates (Justine Elliot) Thursday, 23 October 2014.
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2.1
Potential Limitations
•
In addition to the direct economic impacts, it is important to recognise the contribution made by the social and environmental impacts of the public realm.
•
Economic activity (consumer spend, new investment and development activity).
The following limitations have been identified when undertaking the cost benefit analysis:
•
The quality of the foreshore public domain is often influenced by interrelated processes, making it difficult to isolate the impact of different variables.
•
The economic impacts of investment in the public realm are often long term (and beyond the timescale of the evaluation).
•
The confidential nature of the retail business involved in sourcing financial data for the future impacts.
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3. REGIONAL PROFILE
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3. THE TWEED REGION Tweed Shire is located in the northeast corner of New South Wales, about 860 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD and around 100 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD. Tweed Shire covers 1,303 square kilometres and adjoins the NSW shires of Byron, Lismore and Kyogle, with the NSW/Queensland border to its north where it divides the twin towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. Tweed is one of the fastest growing Regions in NSW, with a current population of 89,642, and is forecast to grow to 125,953 by 2036. Increasing population puts pressures on existing services and physical infrastructure. In line with this population growth, the number of dwellings in the Tweed is forecast to grow from 40,452 in 2011 to 48,427 in 2026, with the average household size rising from 2.38 to 2.39 by 2026. Between 2011 and 2026, the age structure forecasts for Tweed Shire indicate a 28.3% increase in population under working age, a 27.3% increase in population of retirement age, and a 15.5% increase in population of working age. Tweed Shire has long been acknowledged as a retirement destination, the age profile of the Shire reflects an ageing population, particularly in the urban areas around Tweed Heads. The population aged 55 and over comprises 38% of the population in urban areas; in rural areas, the same age group represents 30% of the population. There is obvious pressure on living standards. Most residents (69%) work outside the Tweed in a reasonably
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diverse set of industries. The median household income in the Tweed is 50% less than the State average. More than 60% of these households earn less than $1,000 per week, ranking the Tweed as ‘disadvantaged’ on a socioeconomic index.
Tweed Shire has had strong population growth over the past 10 years at around 1.6% per annum, significantly higher than the Northern Rivers Region average. The population is forecast to grow, with Tweed Coast to capture the majority of this growth in the Northern Rivers Region. An increasing population places pressures on existing services and physical infrastructure. ABS Census data shows that the urban and rural residential population are increasingly attaining tertiary-level qualifications.
In particular, postgraduate degree holders more than doubled in rural Tweed Shire between 2001 and 2011; in urban Tweed Shire, this segment tripled over the same period. Certificate level and Bachelor degree-holders continue to compose the largest proportion of education-attainment in both rural and urban Tweed Shire. Both qualification levels saw substantial growth in the past decade. According to the Australian SocioEconomic Index, Tweed Shire is a relatively disadvantaged area, with the most significant disadvantage experienced in Kingscliff. In 2011, the unemployment rate of the 15 to 24 years was 16.1% in Tweed compared to 12.9% in Regional NSW demonstrating the need for the provision of low or unskilled labour in the Region. In the March quarter 2015, Tweed LGA reported an unemployment rate of 8.5%, significantly higher than either New South Wales (5.9%) or Australia (6.1%). The coastline makes an important economic contribution to the Tweed Region. Coastal and beach amenities are clearly a component of the lifestyle, and the surf break is recognised as sufficiently desirable to attract outof-town visitors. Data published by Destination NSW and sourced from Tourism Research Australia indicates that the LGA of Tweed attracted approximately 534,000 overnight visitors in 2014 (measured as a four year annual average), generating a total of 2,054,000 visitor nights. Domestic travel contributed the majority of visitors (96%) with 512,000 overnight visitors and 1,807,000 visitor nights, reflecting an average length of stay of 3.5 nights.
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International travellers made up 22,000 visitors and 247,000 visitor nights (12% of total visitor nights) with an average length of stay of 11.4 nights. Total visitor expenditure in Tweed Shire derived from overnight visitors was estimated to be $257 million with $243 million or almost 95% derived from domestic overnight visitors. Data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) relating to nights spent in tourist accommodation indicates that, in 2013-14, guest nights spent in tourist accommodation in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area approximated 42.9% of all guest nights spent in Tweed Shire, therefore injecting over $77m into the local economy. Tweed beach destinations are prominent attractions for visitors with over 44% noting beaches as most popular attraction in the Region (source: Destination NSW 2013).
Tourism has been a key economic driver for the region; however there has been a significant decline in respect to the total number of visitors with a 7.5% annual decrease and visitor expenditure (0.8% decrease) in 2012.
4. PROJECT SCOPE & BACKGROUND
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4. PROJECT SCOPE & BACKGROUND The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore will see the creation of a central community hub (Central Park), redevelopment of community and tourism infrastructure and importantly connecting the shared pathway and beach to the central business district. A critical element of this project is the construction of a permanent seawall to protect the public and private infrastructure from coastal erosion and natural events. The Tweed’s ocean beaches contribute significantly to the regional economy and have earned the Region an enviable reputation as a premier tourist destination and the best place to live. The ongoing health of the Kingscliff Beach foreshore is vitally important to the Tweed economy into the future. The various components of the Project are inter-linked but are predicated on protection of the foreshore. Continued coastal erosion of the Kingscliff foreshore will have a detrimental impact on tourism locally, a significant contributor to the area’s economy. The Project aims to provide the critical infrastructure to protect and improve the Kingscliff foreshore for the benefit of locals, businesses and visitors to the area. The completion of the Project will act as a catalyst for further public infrastructure and will attract private sector development as a result of minimising the risk of damage from erosion and natural events. Currently, public and private development is inhibited due to the lack of a permanent solution for foreshore protection adjacent to the central business district. Feedback from the community vision survey and the community workshop undertaken for the Kingscliff Context, Issues and Opportunities paper,
identified a number of issues, which relate directly to the Kingscliff retail and town centre experience. These issues are intrinsically linked to the Project. These issues include:
•
The experiential qualities of the town centre are now car dominated and there is a lack of well-located and accessible car parking.
•
There is currently no recognisable town centre or town heart which defines the retail centre. It is currently dispersed between the lineal Marine Parade shopping strip and the internalised Kingscliff Village Shopping centre.
•
Marine Parade shopping precinct (main street) is generally looking tired and run down, with many buildings in need of maintenance and improvements.
•
There is a general lack of legibility and connectivity especially for pedestrians and a lack of unifying public domain elements.
The construction of a permanent seawall at Kingscliff will see the creation and renewal of community infrastructure so that the beachfront and surrounding public domain is modernised and more functional. The current foreshore is aesthetically poor with low amenity value due to erosion and temporary emergency foreshore protection measures.
of the region as well maintaining employment in the critical tourism sector. The key impediment to meeting these needs as well as the attraction of new development and business is the continual erosion of the foreshore, which requires a permanent solution to mitigate the risk.
Additionally, beach access is continually changing or unavailable as erosion makes its way along the beach.
4.1 Planned Outcomes
The proposed upgrade will deliver foreshore protection, updated urban design to facilities, rationalise car parking, increased shade, provide modern furniture and improve vista and access to Kingscliff Beach. Upon completion, the Project will make the area more attractive for visitors, residents and commercial operators as well as being more pedestrian friendly.
The Kingscliff foreshore area is a major tourism and recreational resource, however coastal erosion has resulted in environmental degradation, loss of natural and cultural values and declining community benefit. The Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park is of a poor standard, as uncertainty around foreshore protection has not allowed upgrades of park infrastructure in order to bring it up to contemporary standards. Overall, the Project is driven from the need to provide appropriate community infrastructure to meet the increased needs associated with the growth
1. Foreshore Protection
•
Rock seawall - protection of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and public and private infrastructure adjacent to the CBD
•
Stepped concrete seawall protection of Kingscliff Central Park
•
Accessible beach access points connecting beach and community hub to CBD
•
Stormwater drainage runoff quality and control
2. Kingscliff Central Park
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Enlarged Cenotaph Area
•
Recreational activities: Skateboard area, half basketball court, fitness equipment
•
3.5m wide Board walk/cycleway to link with the Tweed and Gold Coast’s Cycleways
•
Additional public parking
•
New park furniture / amenities / viewing platforms/landscaping
•
Refurbishment of the existing Kingscliff Community Hall to allow it to be more accessible and to better facilitate community uses
•
Amphitheatre
•
Facilities for disadvantaged groups, aged, disabled and youth
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3. Redevelopment of Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park
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Be used as a baseline for reporting;
•
New amenities block
•
•
New office and managers residence
Assist with delegation and managing of team workloads;
•
New camp kitchen
•
15 ensuite sites
•
20 Cabins
•
•
•
Assist in determining how long the project will take, including in analysing the effect on the overall timeframe of activities going overtime;
Reduction in area to 60 sites creating space for Kingscliff Central Park
•
Assist with identification of project risks by showing areas of uncertainty;
New access road and improved landscaping
•
Assist with the management of risk by showing the effect on the project timeline of a risk occurring; and
4.2 Proposed Timeframes and Milestones
•
Confirm a common understanding of the project timeline among all key stakeholders.
Tweed Shire Council has developed a comprehensive Project Management Plan for the Project, which identifies the project milestones. These are significant events that act as ‘progress markers’ for the project with their achievement being monitored and reported. These timeframes and milestones are flexible if external grant funding is received through the Commonwealth Government. A Gannt chart for the Project has been completed and included in the Project Management Plan to assist in determining how long activities and tasks will take and will:
•
Assist in determining the relationship between items;
•
Identify the critical path (the shortest possible path from the first activity to the last);
Table 2: Summary of Project Benefits (2006)
Key Milestones
Key Dates
Announcement
May 2015
Closing NSRF Round 2
July 2015
Planning and Approvals for Seawalls Commence Seawall Construction Complete Seawalls Construction
December 2015 June 2016 March 2017
Start Construction Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park, Central Park and Community Building
May 2017
Complete Project
June 2018
NSRF Project Completion Requirement
23 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
31 December 2019
FACTORS IMPACTING KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE CHANGING CLIMATE The average sea level within Tweed has already risen over 17cm during the 20th Century with a rise of no less than 100cm predicted by 2100*. Storm surges and the resulting coastal erosion are also expected to increase the risk of flooding to several parts of the highly valued foreshore. Development approvals along the foreshore are increasingly being tested against sea level rise modelling and are required to demonstrate ‘coastal dependency’. Source: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ climateChange/sealevel.htm & http://www. tweed.nsw.gov.au/Item/1350
DEMANDS FOR COMMUNITY SPACE The park and community hall require major capital investment to support the growing community.
AGEING INFRASTRUCTURE The current infrastructure at the existing Cenotaph area & Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park including paths, lights, and other assets are ageing at an accelerated rate. The maintenance and replacement costs are significantly higher along the foreshore compared to other parts of the Region due to the salty seaside conditions and increasing usage.
DECLINING VEGETATION The coastal vegetation, dunes and reserves are feeling the effects of erosion and extreme weather conditions from climate change, increasing population and usage pressures.
DEMANDS FOR ADDITIONAL FACILITIES Population growth and increasing usage along the foreshore is resulting in rising demands for new facilities such as more toilets and beach showers.
24 HOUR CULTURE OVER SUMMER The competing demands for improved residential amenity, passive recreation and more active recreational opportunities continue to grow. The expectation for improved swimming safety and long-term education programs is also rising in the Tweed and Kingscliff areas.
24 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
The Kingscliff foreshore and associated assets located adjacent to the seawall are intrinsically linked. The following section provides a background and rationale to each of the Projects main elements.
long term erosion, shoreline recession, oceanic inundation and coastal entrance instability. Importantly the study identified various public and community assets that were at risk from coastal erosion hazards.
4.3 Seawall
On a short-term basis these assets included:
The Kingscliff foreshore has a history of severe coastal erosion events and active shoreline management. Tweed Shire Council has been actively working to understand and manage the impacts of coastal hazards within its local government area for at least the last fifteen years. There has been extensive consultation with the community and business sector of the Region with regards to options for the foreshore. To effectively manage the Kingscliff coastline the community has invested over $2.5 million in temporary seawalls to protect the public and private assets located on the foreshore (Table 3). In addition, there has been numerous ongoing studies and plans to guide the management of the Kingscliff coastline. Specifically, a Coastal Hazard Definition Study (CHDS) was completed in 2001 (WBM Oceanics, 2001), a Coastline Management Study (CMS) was completed in 2003 (Umwelt, 2003), Coastline Management Plan (CMP) was developed in 2005 (Umwelt, 2005) and Tweed Shire Coastal Hazards Assessment in 2013 (BMT WBM, 2013) and Kingscliff Coastal Risk Management Study 2015 (BMT WBM, 2015). In 1999, Tweed Shire Council completed an extensive Coastline Management Plan in accordance with the NSW Government Coastline Management Manual (1990). The Tweed Coastline Hazard Definition Study was adopted in 2001 and identified the individual coastline hazards including short and
•
The Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club;
•
Kingscliff Community Hall; and
•
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park.
Tweed Shire Council then completed the Tweed Shire Coastline Management Plan (2005), which outlined a protection strategy in the form of a 500m long rock seawall combined with beach nourishment. Community consultation and feedback confirmed this option with the strong value put on maintaining beach amenity. In 2010, in accordance with the adopted Coastal Management Plan, Council completed a concrete seawall to protect the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club at a cost of $430,000. However, during 2009-2012 a number of severe erosion events were experienced at Kingscliff Beach resulting in the significant loss of foreshore land which impacted on public assets and infrastructure. Assets that were destroyed or had to be relocated included:
•
Faulks Park access road and carpark;
•
Cabins and amenities block at Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park; and
•
Beach Access Infrastructure.
25 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
Council then undertook emergency foreshore works including constructing a low rock revetment along Faulks Park and constructing a 4m high geotextile sandwall along the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and beach nourishment at the southern end of Kingscliff Beach using sand from Cudgen Creek. Over a two year period from 2010 to the end of 2011 Tweed Shire Council and the Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust have spent approximately $2 million on unplanned and emergency coastal erosion protection measures to protect their assets. While these works provide a varying degree of erosion protection, they have impacted on beach amenity and some of the works present a potential risk to public safety. For example the potential for collapse of the steep geotextile bag seawall and the potential for injury to beach users accessing the beach over the rock revetments.
Marine Parade to its south.
•
By 2100, the erosion hazard extends to Marine Parade along the entire area south from approximately the intersection of Marine Parade and Kingscliff Street.
•
The Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Faulks Park are vulnerable to potential wave inundation due to overtopping during major storm events, extending further landward with shoreline recession and sea level rise.
•
Inundation by storm tide penetration may affect the eastern fringe of properties along the western shoreline of Cudgen Creek, the extent increasing with sea level rise.
The Tweed Shire Coastal Hazards Assessment (November 2013) identifies the likely extent of coastal risks that may affect the Tweed coastline now and in the future (including sea level rise) and provides the technical basis for the Tweed Shire Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) which is the framework for managing the risks from coastal hazards. The hazard analysis indicates:
•
Immediate storm erosion would extend into the seaward parts of the presently protected Bowls Club, Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park, Surf Club and adjacent park areas.
•
The 2050 erosion hazard extent includes a large part of the Bowls Club, essentially all of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and all areas seaward of
26 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
LIST OF PLANNING DOCUMENTS Water Research Laboratory 2010 - 2011 “Review of Tweed Shire Coastline Hazard Lines” Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd “Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Operation Design for Sand Nourishment at Kingscliff Beach” 2011-2012 University of NSW 2011-2012 “Options and Design Report for Foreshore Protection works at Kingscliff Beach” BMT WBM 2012-2013 “Tweed Shire Coastal Hazards Assessment 2012” Griffith University 2013-2014 “Kingscliff Foreshore Management Options - Cost Benefit Analysis” University of NSW 2014-2015 “Foreshore Protection Works Kingscliff Beach. Detailed Concept Terminal Seawall Design” BMT WBM 2014-2015 “Kingscliff Dreamtime Beach Coastal Zone Management Plan” Cardno Constructions 2014-2015 “Geotechnical Investigation. Terminal Seawall Kingscliff” UNSW WRC 2014/2015 “Preliminary Draft Details Concept Terminal Seawall Protection”
27 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
Table 3: Financial Expenditure on the Kingscliff Foreshore 2010-2015 FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE PAST FIVE YEARS TEMPORARY SEAWALLS
FUNDED
AMOUNT
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park (KBHP) Pump Station to Kingscliff Beach Bowling Club
50%Tweed Shire Council/ 50% KBHP
$470,000
KBHP pump station
50% Tweed Shire Council/50% KBHP
$150,000
CHSLSC to pump station -
Tweed Shire Council
$712,000
Cudgen Creek to CHSLSC
State Government
$342,200
CHSLSC South flank
Tweed Shire Council
$70,000
CHSLSC - (These works were destroyed in 2011)
Tweed Shire Council
$152,000
State Government
$245,400
Car Park and sand nourishment Total
$2,141,600
PERMANENT SEAWALLS CHSLSC - (permanent concrete wall)
Funded
Amount
Tweed Shire Council ($200,000 - State Govt funded)
$430,000
TOTAL
BEACH ACCESS
$430,000
FUNDED
AMOUNT
KBBC timber stairs (destroyed in 2014)
KBHP
$12,000
KBHP timber stairs (rebuild)
KBHP
$12,000
KBBC Aluminium Stairs (Access to bowling club)
KBHP
$16,000
($8,000 TCHP, $8,000 CHSLSC)
$16,000
CHSLSC concrete ramp
Tweed Shire Council
$30,000
Beach Access maintenance
Tweed Shire Council
$50,000 ($10k pa)
CHSLSC Aluminium Stairs (beach to surf club)
TOTAL
PLANS (From 2010 Onwards)
FUNDED
AMOUNT
TOTAL
$10,000
Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Operation Design for Sand Nourishment at Kingscliff Beach"
$225,400
University of NSW 2011-2012 "Options and Design Report for Foreshore Protection works at Kingscliff Beach"
Griffith University 2013-2014 "Kingscliff Foreshore Management Options - Cost Benefit Analysis"
TOTAL
$136,000
Water Research Laboratory 2010 - 2011 "Review of Tweed Shire Coastline Hazard Lines"
BMT WBM 2012-2013 "Tweed Shire Coastal Hazards Assessment 2012"
TOTAL
$89,300 All Funded by Tweed Shire Council & 50% State Government
$55,000 $33,500
University of NSW 2014-2015 "Foreshore Protection Works Kingscliff Beach. Detailed Concept Terminal Seawall Design"
$8,200
BMT WBM 2014-2015 "Kingscliff Dreamtime Beach Coastal Zone Management Plan"
$92,090
Cardno Constructions 2014-2015 "Geotechnical Investigation. Terminal Seawall Kingscliff"
$25,000
TOTAL 28 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
$538,490
4.4
Beach Access
There is currently limited access to the central business district from the central area of Kinsgcliff Beach including an 800 metre stretch. Council and Tweed Coast Holiday Parks has funded the installation of access directly to the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Cudgen Headland Surf Living Club to ensure their viability as key tourism and valued community assets. However, there is currently no access directly to the main street (Marine Parade) from the beach. The Project will see the installation of three access points to allow direct pedestrian access to the main street and the newly created Central Park. The access immediately north of Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) is also designed to provide wheelchair and disability access to the beach as well as enabling vehicular access from the SLSC so that vital life saving equipment can be transported to the beach from the club building. This will also create synergies with the connection of shared pathway linking the Kingscliff Beach to the central business district is viewed as an integral part of the project to drive expenditure to the retail heart of Kingscliff.
4.5
Central Park
There is currently very limited open space adjacent to the main street. The current Central Park space is located directly adjacent to the midcentre of the central business district, an area of only 500 square metres and features the Cenotaph and Kingscliff community hall. The Park is unsightly and congested and does not meet the needs of the Kingscliff community. Council has been unable to respond to community requests for the upgrade of the Park due to the risk and exposure of erosion events on the foreshore.
The reduction in the footprint of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park will allow for the creation of a large community space in the centre of the Kingscliff central business district. Kingscliff Central Park, located to the north of Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, will be a centrepiece of the Kingscliff foreshore and a community hub for the town. A report released in 2011 indicated that “the economic values of parks are not well understood in the wider community. Their importance in the provision of a range of ecosystem services, providing employment, enhancing property values, reducing population health costs, supporting the recreation industry, and in particular underpinning the tourism industry, cannot be overstated”. The redevelopment of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park will vacate 12,000 square metres of land for the park. Central Park is designed to be a large community space at the heart of the Kingscliff central business district - a destination for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery, engage with family and friends at an open air barbecue or take a leisurely walk along the foreshore pathway. It will serve as a venue for festivals and performances and a gathering place for locals and visitors to Marine Parade’s shops and cafés. The design will utilise existing stands of coastal trees and includes the planting of many additional trees. This will provide natural shade and retain the Park’s natural feel. A new amenities building with accessible public toilets and showers will be accompanied by seating, picnic settings, shelters and other furniture throughout the Park, as well as drinking fountains and bins.
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A large open lawn area will sit at the heart of the design, to host events and serve as an active space. Strong visual and physical connections tie Central Park and the business district together, guiding the eye through the park and out towards the ocean. Pathways will connect Marine Parade to an enlarged cenotaph area to accommodate growing crowds - and out towards the foreshore. The Park’s design aims to bring different groups of the community together. A large play space will accommodate a wide range of age groups, with a youth recreational space for young children learning to ride a bike or skateboard.
Importantly the park’s design provides a continuous accessible path of travel, with a step free route linking key elements that can be safely negotiated by everyone, including people using a range of mobility aids. Park furniture will be included as part of the design and is similar to those used for park upgrades at Jack Bayliss Park North Kingscliff, Faulks Park Kingscliff, Cabarita Streetscaping, Ambrose Brown Park upgrade Pottsville and Old Boat Harbour Upgrade at Fingal.
30 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
central park
31 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
4.6 Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park The Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park is located on the beachfront in central Kingscliff and directly opposite the Kingscliff commercial area. The Park is on Reserve lands with an area of 3.31 hectares and has 176 tourist sites, of which are 77 are long term casuals. The Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park is an important component of the local tourism sector providing accommodation for the many visitors to the beach. The tourism sector contributes a substantial proportion of local business activity generating visitation to and business activity in Kingscliff and broader Tweed Region. The Holiday Park also provides local employment via 4 full-time positions and 1 casual position and contributes to the local economy through their dealings with local contractors and suppliers injecting over $1.92million into the local economy in 2014.
Importantly the Park makes a substantial contribution to the local economy, in addition to the non-financial contribution they make through the provision of service such as tourist information. Recent research compiled by BDO found that for each $ spent in a caravan park $1.38 was spent by park customers in the adjacent area. Kingscliff South income last year was $1.4m, therefore economic benefit to local business was approximately $1.92m.
Prior to the severe erosion of Kingscliff beach in 2009, the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park made approximately $500,000 profit per annum. Approximately 50% of this profit was held by the Holiday Park Trust for reinvestment in the Holiday Park’s businesses. The other 50% is distributed to Council to maintain and upgrade Crown Reserve Land along the Tweed Coast. Since the erosion, which required the closing down and removal of six cabins, two villas and 18 sites, profits from the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park has dropped to around $250,000 per annum. This decline in profits contributes to a corresponding drop in funding to support the maintenance and upgrade of the Crown Reserve along the foreshore. Despite temporary stabilisation works being funded and carried out by Council and Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust, this drop in profits is set to continue as the cabins, villas and sites cannot be replaced until a long term solution to beach erosion is implemented. The proposed upgrade of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park will allow expansion of the profitable aspects of operations returning profit margins to pre erosion levels. The Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park management team completed an extensive Business Plan which demonstrated the need to provide facilities that reflect the quality of the location, land management priorities, facilitate equity of access and meet current industry and market benchmarks. The Park is currently rated 2 star, however, the upgrades will bring an expected 4 star rating which will meet the expectation of visitors to the area.
32 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
The proposed revitalisation of the Holiday Park has been assessed against the potential to enhance the ongoing management efficiency and effectiveness of the Trust, to ensure future financial outcomes for the Holiday Park, to make an appropriate contribution to the community and to the management of reserved Crown Land.
•
Business Management: To maintain a management and operational structure which ensures commercial viability, promotes timely and responsible decision-making and is responsive to the local economic framework and environmental, legal, social and technological imperatives.
The opportunities offered through the improvement of the Holiday Park have the potential to grow the business by providing a greater range of site and accommodation options. In formulating a practical improvement program for the Holiday Park, a number of factors have been considered including:
•
Environmental Management: To ensure vegetation and the natural environmental features of the Holiday Park and the reserve are managed in accordance with sound ecological principles and for the enjoyment of guests and visitors.
•
Sustainability: To ensure principles of ecological and environmental sustainability are incorporated into the design and management of the accommodation, facilities and infrastructure within the Park with the ultimate goal that resources are used efficiently throughout their lifecycle and to meet the needs of the community.
•
Facilities for Management and Guests: To optimise the recreational and tourism potential of the Holiday Park consistent with the principles of ecological sustainability while improving park presentation and providing a range of recreation and communal facilities for guests and their visitors.
•
Accessibility: To design and develop facilities and accommodation that enable people with disabilities and others with restricted mobility to access and enjoy the full range of holiday and recreation
•
The principles and parameters established in relevant legislation and policies of the New South Wales government, the Trust and Council;
•
Potential to achieve environmental objectives;
•
Safety, security and regulatory compliance;
•
Potential to improve visitor amenity and maintain income and profit; and
•
Cost and financial contribution to the local economy.
The vision for the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park will be implemented in conformity with the following specific objectives:
•
•
Regulatory Compliance: To ensure the Holiday Park complies with all applicable statutory requirements. Health Safety and Risk: Management to provide and maintain facilities, in a manner, which minimises risk to Holiday Park guests and staff and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
33 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
opportunities provided in the Holiday Park.
•
Tourist Sites and Accommodation: To optimise income to the Holiday Park by providing a range of quality tourist accommodation including opportunities for family and traditional camping within the bounds of ecologically sustainable development.
•
Integrated Land Management: To promote and facilitate integrated management of the range of planning and regulatory issues associated with the use of Holiday Park and adjoining Central Park.
34 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
2001 HISTORIC TIMELINE MAJOR EVENTS
Council adopts Tweed Coastline Hazard Definition Study, which identifies coastline erosion hazard lines. It shows Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Kingscliff Community Hall are at risk.
2005 Council adopts Tweed Shire Coastline Management Plan, outlining coastal management strategies for each coastal village. Environmental Impact Statement commissioned for Kingscliff foreshore protection.
2006
Coastal Management Strategy for Kingscliff refined to include: • A piled seawall in front of Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club. • Initial and ongoing sand nourishment of Kingscliff beach to provide protection against beach erosion.
2007 Kingscliff Foreshore Master Plan endorsed by Council.
2009
Jack Bayliss Park upgraded.
2010 Sea wall in front of Cudgen Headland SLSC completed. Council given license by NSW Department of Land and Property Management to examine source of sand downstream of Barneys Point Bridge, to provide sand nourishment at Kingscliff Beach.
2015
Adoption of the Kingscliff Foreshore Hazard Assessment
35 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
5. DO NOTHING APPROACH MAIN PAGE
36 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
5. DO NOTHING APPROACH A myriad of planning studies on the Kingscliff foreshore highlight the severe negative impacts of not protecting the foreshore. These include the negative effects on the economy, community, environment and physical assets. The positive effects of the ‘Do Nothing’ approach are the short term cost savings in not funding the Project.
•
Damage during 10 year ARI event would be classified as severe failure.
However a range of negative impacts have been identified that will have negative effects on public safety, private and public infrastructure, scenic, environmental and cultural values, beach amenity, tourism and community perception should the Project not proceed.
•
50 x 2.3 t rocks over a length of 300m would be displaced into the Holiday Park.
•
200 x 2.3 t rock over a length of 300m would be displaced into the Holiday Park during a 100 year event.
Extensive coastal studies and the adopted coastal erosion lines demonstrate that erosion would eventually (within 100 years) reach Marine Parade, the main shopping street in Kingscliff.
•
Pedestrians from the general public would not be able to tolerate a 10 year overtopping.
Essentially with no protection the foreshore and public assets would require relocation in the event of a large storm.
In addition the Tweed Coastal Hazard Study (2013) identifies the hazard lines of potential damage from storms and coastal erosion. It identifies:
•
Immediate storm erosion would extend into the seaward parts of the presently protected Bowls Club, Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park, Surf Club and adjacent park areas.
•
The 2050 erosion hazard extent includes a large part of the Bowls Club, essentially all of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and all areas seaward of Marine Parade to its south.
•
By 2100, the erosion hazard extends to Marine Parade
The WLR Technical Report (2014) completed on the potential storm impacts on the existing temporary seawall indicates severe damage to both physical assets and public safety. The physical modelling tests indicate:
•
The existing seawall resulted in extensive damage under all tests.
•
Damage during a 1 year ARI event would result in moderate damage.
37 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
along the entire area south from approximately the intersection of Marine Parade and Kingscliff Street.
•
•
The Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Faulks Park are vulnerable to potential wave inundation due to overtopping during major storm events, extending further landward with shoreline recession and sea level rise. Inundation by storm tide penetration may affect the eastern fringe of properties along the western shoreline of Cudgen Creek, the extent increasing with sea level rise.
In the meantime the predicted erosion lines would retard development and investment in Marine Parade as there would be no protection for private and public assets from coastal erosion.
38 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
Potentially no financial institutions would provide investment funding for Marine Parade businesses without foreshore protection measures in place and insurance premiums would increase as the threat from coastal erosion grows. The beach is a key tourism asset, which has seen a decline in visitation over the past 5 years. Continued coastal erosion of the Kingscliff foreshore will have a detrimental impact on tourism locally, a significant contributor to the area’s economy. Due to their exposed locations, both the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club and the Kingscliff Beach Bowling Club, will have to be provided with seawalls on their northern and southern sides to prevent outflanking of their existing erosion protection walls.
Costs Over a two-year period from 2010 to the end of 2011 Tweed Shire Council and the Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust have spent approximately $1,980,000 on unplanned and emergency coastal erosion protection measures to protect their assets. Without foreshore protection, Council and the Tweed Coast Holiday Parks is budgeting $160,000 per annum to undertake repairs to the seawall based on a 1 in 1 year event as set out in the WRL report. This in addition to the $250,000 profit per annum that the Holiday Park is foregoing due to the loss of 8 cabins in 2011. For storm events significantly larger than a 1:1 event and based on the WRL modelling it is unlikely that the Holiday Park would remain open or reopen due to the extensive damage that the interim seawall and Holiday Park infrastructure would sustain. In this event the substantial contribution from the Holiday Park to Council for foreshore maintenance would be lost.
39 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
The works that are proposed in the Project aim to prevent further damage to community assets and infrastructure from wave erosion. Funding by the Commonwealth Government for the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project is an investment that will reduce the demand for future disaster recovery funding. In other words, not completing the proposed foreshore protection works now would only defer the problem to a future time.
THE EFFECTS OF THE DO NOTHING APPROACH Public safety No beach access causes people to make informal and potentially unsafe paths over rocks and sandbags to the beach Aged and out-dated community infrastructure Risks following storm events including rocks and bags distributed over the beach pose a public safety concern Private infrastructure and assets Structural damage to privately owned dwellings or businesses is costly and can have detrimental impacts on livelihoods Reduction in property value can occur as the loss of land migrates hazards closer to existing development Marine Pde and businesses come under threat in longer-term ( ~50 yrs) Public infrastructure Damage or destruction to critical infrastructure such as water, sewerage and communications and transport infrastructure such as roads and power lines is extremely costly to repair Existing facilities ‘managed to fail’ with removal once impacted and no replacement in the future Significant costs involved in removal of damaged infrastructure or relocation Significant costs involved in the construction and maintenance of protection structures (failing rock walls, damaged sandbags) Continuation of temporary solutions for the management of the shoreline and opportunity costs involved Public assets Foreshore parkland and public access to the foreshore is often the first to be lost in long term recession and erosion events Scenic value Loss of amenity value impacting coastal recreation, tourism attractions and accommodation Environmental and cultural values
Loss of habitat and vegetation Reduction in areas of ecological significance Loss of beach and dunes Loss of foreshore land asset Coastal land use/Beach Amenity Impacts for current and future use of coastal areas Current coastal land uses may need to change due to the risk. i.e. recreational uses Certain uses may be restricted by hazards Loss of funds to manage coastline due to decreased profit from the holiday park Progressive deterioration of temporary rock and geo-textile bags have detrimental effects on beach amenity: • strewn rock and geo-textile on beach; • irregular and unpredictable foreshore land erosion impacts. Localised erosion may be exacerbated; • degraded beach access amenity; • high risk to beach and foreshore users; • continuing accelerated loss of sand from upper beach. Tourism Decline in visitation levels, therefore loss of tourism expenditure in the Region resulting in the decline of tourism jobs Loss of economic activity from inability to host major Surf Carnival events and festivals on the foreshore Community Perception Likely to be perceived by community as abandonment of foreshore land especially following previous installation of temporary seawalls Loss of Community pride and sense of place Visual concerns regarding existing ad-hoc structures
40 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
6. ECONOMIC BENEFITS 41 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
6. ECONOMIC BENEFITS The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project will ensure the economic growth in the Region by mitigating the effects of a declining tourism industry, provide employment during the construction phase and facilitate and enable investment and development into the future. The Project will drive significant economic activity for Kingscliff, broader Tweed Region, NSW and Australia during the development, construction and ongoing life of the project. During construction, the Project will generate 48 full time jobs in year one, 44 in year two and 69 in the third year. Improved amenity, safety, increased land values, improved health outcomes combined with additional economic benefits, add up to significant positive impacts for Kingscliff and the State economy. Despite being buffered by a strong local economy, Kingscliff faces significant infrastructure challenges to offer public domain enhancement expected in a modern subregional centre catering for a significant population. This is due to the hazards poised through lack of protection on the foreshore. Council and Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust has attributed over $2.0million in ‘temporary fixes’ to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion which has essentially ceased the development of essential community assets such as the Central Park element of the project. The impacts of the lack of a permanent solution are having detrimental effects on the economy through a declining tourism industry, lack of social community
infrastructure and inability to attract significant development to the Kingscliff main street. In order to sustain economic growth, a strong, diversified and resilient economic base must be maintained. If the region is to attain its potential and continue to be an economic driver, greater social infrastructure to maintain the region’s enviable lifestyle and ensure social well-being for the Tweeds communities, is critical.
6.1
Cost-benefit Analysis
Tweed Shire Council commissioned an independent cost-benefit analysis, which was undertaken by RedeConsult, to identify, quantify and compare the costs and benefits of the Project. The full report including the methodology and assumptions is attached as annexure 1. The benefits and costs were compared against a baseline, which was the equivalent of maintaining the status quo, in this case not undertaking the Foreshore Protection works, upgrading the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park or providing upgrades to other facilities. The cost-benefit analysis was based on the assumption that the various components of the Project are interlinked but are predicated on protection of the Foreshore. Without that protection, the viability of the other components is questionable.
42 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
176
JOBS POST CONSTRUCTION
48 y1 44 y2 69 y3 FTE CREATED DURING CONSTRUCTION
$35m
$6.1m Y1 $5.6m Y2 $8.7m Y3 GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT
NET PRESENT VALUE
2.79
COST BENEFIT RATIO
gross regional product.
Continued coastal erosion of the Kingscliff foreshore will have a detrimental impact on tourism locally, a significant contributor to the area’s economy. The key benefit assumes that without the infrastructure development proposed, there is a strong likelihood that coastal erosion will result in the loss of beach-related tourism locally. Therefore, the analysis estimated what the impact to the local economy would be if the beach related tourism is impacted. This would include the loss of employment which would have a significant impact on the regional workforce. Using tourism data for visitation to Kingscliff, the analysis determined an estimate of the size of the tourism impact. With the central discount rate of 7 per cent, the Project has a benefit cost ratio of 2.79. As the benefit cost ratio is greater than 1 and the net present value is positive, the Project can be deemed an efficient use of funds.
The Project has a cost benefit ratio of 2.79 and net present value of $35 million.
6.2 Economic Impact assessment The economic impact of the proposed infrastructure has been assessed in terms of the impact of the construction of the infrastructure. The economic impact has been prepared from the perspective of the impact on Tweed Shire as direct and flow-on impacts will affect the local community in terms of employment, household income and
The economic impact analysis was undertaken utilising an input-output (IO) model developed for Tweed Local Government Area. IO analysis provides a detailed picture of the structure of a regional economy at a point in time and can be used to estimate the contribution or impact of a particular sector of the economy including flowon or multiplier effects.
The estimated economic impact of the construction phase on Tweed LGA is: Year 1: $6.1m in GRP & 48 FTE Year 2: $5.6m in GRP & 44 FTE Year 3: $8.7m in GRP & 69 FTE ReddeConsult
It should be noted that the above estimates of the economic impact are not cumulative but reflect the impact, including flow-on effects, in the year in which the expenditure was made. Overall, it is estimated that beachrelated visitor expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area supports the direct employment of almost 150 people, or 108 full-time equivalent jobs (adopting the ABS convention that 1 full-time employee is equivalent to 0.5 part-time employee). Based on flowon multipliers calculated for the entire Tweed Shire, this would equate to total FTE employment in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area supported by beachrelated visitor expenditure of 176 jobs post construction.
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6.3 Loss of Economic Benefits to Government The Project will slow the continual erosion of the Foreshore which is impacting on the viability of the local tourism and retails sectors. Continued loss of employment in these sectors will result in declining economic benefits to the different levels of government including: Personal income tax revenue. If individuals employed in tourismrelated businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally. The Government will forego any revenue generated from income tax. Data published by the ABS estimates the value and contribution of tourism to the national economy including estimating employment and tourism consumption by tourismrelated product. Applying that data to estimated tourist expenditure by category suggests that visitor expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area supports the following levels of direct employment, defined by traditional industry category.
•
Using data from the Australian Taxation Office regarding personal withholding tax contributions also provides an indication of the withholding tax revenue accrued to the Federal Government by each full-time equivalent employee directly supported by tourist expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area. When applied to the total estimated direct fulltime equivalent employment, the estimated withholding tax return to the Federal Government is approximately $1.0 million per annum. This does not include the impact of flow-on employment and the associated withholding tax revenue.
Increased welfare payments if individuals employed in tourismrelated businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally and consequently seek to access Centrelink or other benefits. Decreased payroll tax revenue, reducing accruals to the State government.
•
Overall, it is estimated that beachrelated visitor expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area supports the direct employment of almost 150 people, or 108 fulltime equivalent jobs (adopting the ABS convention that 1 full-time employee is equivalent to 0.5 parttime employee).
Increase in unemployment levels locally, with the associated negative impacts on health, crime statistics and other social implications. Currently (March quarter 2015), Tweed LGA has an estimated unemployment rate of 8.5%, significantly higher than either the New South Wales average (5.9%) or nationally (6.1%).
•
Based on data from the ABS regarding average weekly earnings by industry, adjusted to reflect overall average weekly earnings in New South Wales and further adapted to reflect average income by industry for Tweed Shire by place of employment in comparison with New South Wales (derived from 2011 Census), results in an estimate of average weekly income per full-time employee (ordinary time earnings).
Tourism has been a key economic driver for this region; however there has been a significant decline in respect to the total number of visitors with a 7.5% annual decrease and visitor expenditure (0.8% decrease) in 2012.
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6.4 Improved Amenity and Land Values The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project will improve liveability in the Tweed Region and assist in improving the rateable value of property within the Kingscliff central business district and residential area. Improving the value of properties in Kingscliff and surrounds will play a significant role in countering the costs of beach erosion many commercial properties, currently uneconomical for redevelopment. Spanning the central part of the beautiful central Kingscliff coastline, the Project will improve the amenity of the region including attractive views, creation of open space and convenient recreation opportunities. People value this amenity which is often reflected in increased real property values and increased marketability for property located near open space. Developers also recognise these values and incorporate open space into planning, design, and marketing new and redeveloped properties. The effect on property values of a location near a park has been the subject of several studies that have revealed increases in property values in instances where the property is located near or adjacent to high amenity open spaces and coastlines. Coastal property prices in Australia demonstrate a strong desire for coastal proximity. Studies in Sydney (Anning, 2012) and in Adelaide (Burgan, 2003) report that beach frontage in Australian property markets commands an environmental premium of around 40% on adjacent, non-beachfront properties. An increase in property values will result in increased property tax revenues for local and state governments. The investment will ultimately pay for
itself over a short period of time due in part to increased property stamp duty revenues from higher values of property. Research indicates that the demand is expected to continue in the coming decade as demographic changes and consumer preferences shift toward denser, more compact residential environments. Additional factors that could support the market for walkable urban places, include: urban job growth, tight urban housing markets, preferences for urban amenities and support for public policies and investments that favour revitalisation, alternative transportation modes, historic preservation and urban parks and open space.
Open space enhances the value of nearby development lands, allowing compact development to command a premium in the residential real estate market.
6.5 Improved Health through Physical activity There are also economic benefits for the Federal Government as a result of improved health from people utilising the Park, in particular the shared pathway and recreational facilities. The Park itself will provide a means to increase daily physical activity, which can help individuals to maintain better health. The Project will see a 800 metre long and 3.5 metre wide shared pathway suitable for all ages including the disabled, aged and physically impaired. This pathway will connect to the Tweed and QLD Cycleway’s providing the essential connection for users to continue their route along the coast.
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Physical inactivity is a leading contributor to the burden of chronic disease in Australia, with an estimated total cost to the health budget of $1.5 billion.
Recent research by the National Heart Foundation ranked the Richmond-Tweed region sixth in New South Wales in the national obesity and inactivity ranking. The research indicated 27% of people in the Tweed region were obese and 70.5% were insufficiently active to maintain good health. A study commissioned by the Queensland Government in 2011 found that, for a typical off-road path in an inner urban area, the economic benefits per kilometre walked or cycled are: decongestion (20.7 cents per kilometre walked or cycled), health (up to 168.0 cents per kilometre), vehicle operating costs (35.0 cents per kilometre), infrastructure savings (6.8 cents per kilometre) and environment (5.9 cents per kilometre). When this data is aggregated the result is that:
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1000 pedestrians per day will generate discounted benefits of around $7 million per kilometre over a 30-year appraisal period ($2.12 per kilometre walked, per person)
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1000 bicycle riders per day will generate discounted benefits of around $15 million per kilometre over a 30-year
appraisal period ($1.43 per kilometre cycled, per person). Recent counts on existing shared pathways in the Tweed show 1300 wheeled vehicles per week and in excess of 5000 per week. Based on these estimates and a conservative figure of 7000 users per week for the Kingscliff shared pathway, it is estimated that over 365,750 people will use the pathway on an annual basis. As such, the annual economic benefits from the Project’s shared pathway element will have the following cost benefits. This has been calculated based on a conservative user figure of 365,750 users per year:
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Environment: $21,580
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Infrastructure savings: $24,871
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Health: $614,460
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De-congestion: $75,710
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Vehicle Operating Costs: $128,012
6.6 Increase in Revenue for local business The Project will ensure the ongoing viability of the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park (KBHP), Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club (CHSLC) and Marine Parade business owners. The Tweed Coastal Hazard Assessment indicates that by 2100, the severe coastal erosion will extend to Marine Parade forcing the relocation of the main street and subsequent closure of many shops.
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The Project will ensure the permanent protection and viability of the foreshore’s public and private assets. Associated with this, the Project will result in mitigating the effects of loss of revenue for businesses located in the central business district adjacent to the Project (Marine Parade,) in part due to the decline of tourists to the area. Estimates of the loss of income due to erosion events in 2010 were provided by representative Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park (KBHP), Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club (CHSLC) and by Marine Parade business owners, and are in the order of 30-40%.
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MAIN PAGE SOCIAL
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7. SOCIAL BENEFITS The Kingscliff Regional Coastal Revitalisation Project will result in many social benefits to the community of Kingscliff and wider Tweed region. The eroding coastline has concerned the community for decades due to loss of beach amenity, rapidly receding sand dunes and opportunity costs in providing temporary measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project will result in many social benefits to the community of Kingscliff and wider Tweed region. The Project will boost the community’s confidence and pride, improve health through social participation and physical activity, deliver educational benefits for children, and create community cohesion. The permanent solution to the foreshore, the creation of a central park with recreational & community facilities, provision of linkages to the Tweed and Gold Coast cyclepaths and improvements to the community hall, will create an integrated space for the residents and visitors to the Tweed Region.
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The foreshore is a vital asset for the visitors and residents of Kingscliff and wider Tweed region. This has been demonstrated by the input and feedback into the various strategies and management plans developed over the past ten years regarding the foreshore. Consultation undertaken for the development of the Draft Kingscliff Locality Plan found that the community valued the beach, creek and natural areas. The research indicated that 70% of respondents frequent the beach and creek areas either daily or weekly. Additionally, almost 70% also stated that they utilise the walking / bike trails on a regular basis (38.9% daily, 29% weekly, 10% monthly).
The existing cycleway network is well utilised however there is an identified need to improve the amenity of the network through wider paths, more shade, more seating, water bubblers and lighting. The viability of the Surf Club will be secured through the protection of the foreshore. Individual benefits that are gained by participating in activities carried out through the Surf Club, such as volunteer surf lifesaving include improved personal health, social participation, education and personal satisfaction. The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project will also expand opportunities for hosting sporting events such as triathlons, surf carnivals, lifesaving carnivals with the provision of beach access and improvements to the area surrounding the existing surf club. The Central Park area will provide a space for many community inspired events such as markets.
7.1
Boost Community Confidence and Pride
The community of Kingscliff’s confidence has been eroded by the continual effects of severe beach erosion. Over the past ten years the community has seen the valued beach amenity damaged and the degradation of key infrastructure along the foreshore with Council unable to deliver upgrades due to the risk of damage to new infrastructure. This loss of community confidence was demonstrated during the engagement period of the development of the Tweed Community Strategic Plan (2011-2031) where residents and business of the Tweed Region strongly expressed their desire for the need for the Central Park, beach access and
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most importantly permanent solution to the protect the foreshore from further erosion.
“The Tweed coastline is one of the defining characteristics of the Region, widely recognised as an integral component of our cultural identity” Tweed Community Strategic Plan 2011-2031
Future economic growth in the Tweed will require balancing development with the sustainable management of natural resources. The Projects completion will give the businesses and the community increased confidence about what the future holds. The Project will help restore confidence, trust and integrity in both local and federal governments. The Park will provide a sense of belonging through greater opportunity to participate in the local community and with it the Oark will increase the character of Kingscliff and the morale this engenders.
7.2
Improved health through social participation & physical activity
The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project will provide modern recreational infrastructure suitable for all ages that encourages new users to partake in physical activity including the aged, disabled and physically impaired. The creation of an open active and passive space in central Kingscliff and significant improvements to the community hall will provide active
and passive areas for residents and visitors and contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of residents and visitors. Over the next 20 years, there will be significant growth in population along the Tweed Coast, including an increase in the number of young people and increase in the ageing population. The timely provision of the Central Park with a range of activities (multi-purpose court, skate elements, playground, bike/walking tracks, tiered seating) will be important to keep young people safe, active and healthy. The upgraded and integrated community hall will provide multi-purpose facilities for the delivery of youth programs and services for young people to meet and get connected with their community. For some, these places also provide a place away from home to get some help, be listened to, cared for, and to stay out of trouble. Research reports that people who participate in physical activity enjoy better mental health, are more alert, and more resilient against the stresses of modern living. Beyond Blue released a report in 2012 examining the health benefits associated with green spaces and found that “the range of psychological benefits for people who visit green, open spaces is vast and includes improved mood, lower levels of anxiety, lower stress levels, lower levels of depression and increased physical activity”. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) noted that “participation in recreational groups and socially-supported physical activity reduces stress, anxiety and depression and the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.” This is further supported by a Deakin University study which examined the linkage between nature and health and wellbeing and concluded “contrary to popular thinking, humans may be dependent on nature for psychological,
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emotional, and spiritual needs that are difficult to satisfy by other means”9. The report goes on to suggest that parks provide one of the only ways in which residents in highly urbanised environments can access nature. Lautenslager (2008), conducting research for the WA Centre for Health and Ageing, found just 20 minutes of moderate exercise a day can protect the brain from memory loss and potentially delay dementia. If an additional 40 per cent of the Australian population engaged in regular, moderate and effective exercise, an estimated net benefit of $6.5 million per day would result from reduced costs associated with heart disease, back pain, absenteeism and low workplace productivity. “In a country where health costs are expected to rise from 3.8 per cent of gross domestic product this year to more than five per cent within two decades, we must ensure a healthier, more active Australia” (Brandis, 2007).
7.3 Education Benefits for Children Currently, approximately 14 per cent of the Tweed population is made up of the 12-24 age group and the Region has begun to show growth in young families, attracted to the region for its lifestyle attributes. The population is forecast to grow to 125,953 by 2036, a increase of over 40% which will place pressure on existing services and physical infrastructure. The Park will provide a range of infrastructure for children and youth of the Region, which will encourage physical activity in a safe environment with modern infrastructure, which is currently lacking in Kingscliff.
A study completed by the Australian National University found that there is a strong relationship between primary school students who exercise regularly and higher NAPLAN scores. Additionally, a study undertaken by California Department of Education found that fit kids “scored twice as well on academic tests as those that were unfit”. A study commissioned by Play England provided a comprehensive assessment of economic benefits of playgrounds on the educational outcomes of children. The study indicated that there is a direct increase in educational achievement in early education associated with physical activity. Further, it shows that early academic achievement is the key predicator for later achievement and this is directly linked to higher monetary earnings as an adult. In addition, the Project will ensure the strength of the tourism sector which provides critical employment opportunities for many youth in the Region. Employment in the tourism sector enables young people to develop leadership and problem solving skills, and build attributes including a sense of identity, sense of purpose, resilience and independence. Other skills include basic finances, communication, teamwork and customer service. This will address the outward migration of young people in the areas as identified in Tweed Shire Council’s Youth Strategy and Action Plan.
7.4 Increased Community Cohesion and Social Participation There is an absence of facilities for community interaction in Kingscliff. The creation of Central Park, facilitated by the permanent seawall, will provide a ‘neutral space’ which people can gather from different backgrounds and interact socially. While personal goals are pursued, community building and increased social capital will emerge. Central park, which will create an active and passive green space, will bring people together, creating community cohesion. People from different social groupings will engage with each other for a variety of reasons: to relax, find inspiration, exercise and gather with friends and family. The Park will create a sense of connectedness in the people that use the area and foster a greater sense of trust and cooperation among individuals. These social dynamics will promote community wellness and social cohesion for the Kingscliff community and wider Tweed region.
Community cohesion is demonstrated by the existence of, and participation in, social and community facilities, organisations, and structures, which bring people and groups together. The Park design incorporates opportunities that are not currently available to recognise/promote the heritage values of the foreshore including aboriginal heritage values. There is a high proportion of Aboriginal community in Kingscliff and the young make up 25% of the aboriginal population in the Tweed.
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7.5
Community Cohesion and 7.6 Contribution to Climate Change. sustainable socio- cultural development There are some tentative links between the potential community and through increased social value of community cohesion and climate change. These links lie in tourism the fact that stronger more cohesive communities are likely to be more resistant to change and the adaptations required to address climate change (Donoghue and Sturtevant, 2007: 907).
Furthermore, the Project will enable visitors and guests to spend more time in nature and develop attachments to green space. This in turn may promote environmental awareness and encourage more environmentally minded actions and a greater sense of responsibility and stewardship, which could in turn contribute to tackling climate change (O’Brien et al., 2008). The creation of the central space in Kingscliff will enable social participation and subsequent social support which has been shown to increase participation in physical activity and engagement in physical activity is strongly associated with sound mental health (Baum, et al., 2000; Savage et al., 2003; McAuley et al., 2005).
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The Tweed Region has experienced a decline in tourism over the past seven years. Securing the Kingscliff foreshore and the beautification of the precinct through the Central Park will increase tourism visitation to the area. The Project will also provide a much needed community space for the hosting of events and festivals. This increase in tourism will contribute to sustainable socio-cultural development through direct and indirect interaction with visitors to the Kingscliff foreshore. Events and festivals held at Central Park will provide an opportunity for inter-cultural contact.
8. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
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8. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS The Project will result in numerous environmental benefits through mitigating and adaptation to the effects of climate change. These include reduced greenhouse gas emissions from an increase in cycling and walking, improved flora and fauna habitat and the environmental benefits associated with the creation of a ‘green’ space in Central Park. Kingscliff has experienced a long history of storm damage and coastal erosion and is recognised as an area high immediate risk in the Northern Rivers region. Hazards affecting the beach include beach erosion, climate change and coastal inundation. It is likely that Kingscliff Beach has been impacted by the effects of climate change (greenhouse effect) and has the potential to increase the frequency and intensity as storms cause further coastal recession and erosion of Kingscliff Beach. The specific coastal hazard risks considered most critical for the region are shoreline recession and coastal erosion, which is likely to lead to the loss of beaches and damage to nearby public and private assets. Climate change is expected to increase the rate of erosion at Kingscliff Beach in a number of ways. Increased storm activity associated with climate change also means increased pounding wave action along the coast and further erosion. Rising sea level exposes new areas of coast to wave action. Given beaches exist at the interface between terrestrial, marine and atmospheric systems, they have the potential to be influenced by a suite of processes in response to climate change. In Australia, these changes are
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likely to include increased variability of rainfall, an overall reduction in rainfall, increased air and water temperatures, changes in ocean circulation and wave direction patterns, and increased storminess (Aboudha & Woodroffe, 2006; CSIRO, 2002; Ranasinghe, McLoughlin, Short, & Symonds, 2004.).
“The Kingscliff coastline is affected by a range of coastal hazards that will become potentially more acute or extensive in the future with climate change induced sea rise” Kingscliff Coastal Risk Management Study
The Kingscliff Beach Nourishment And Dune Restoration Works Flora And Fauna Assessment was prepared on behalf of Tweed Shire Council to accompany the development application and environmental impact statement for beach protection works along Kingscliff Beach. This assessment concluded that the proposal was unlikely to have a significant effect on threatened species, populations, ecological communities or their habitats due to the nature of flora and fauna habitats affected.
The survey focused on the vegetation along the Kingscliff foreshore dune and beach and the potential habitat values of the site to terrestrial fauna, including shorebirds and turtles. One vulnerable bird, the osprey, was recorded during the flora survey. The osprey roosts and nests at the Kingscliff estuary mouth and forages for fish in the estuary and a short distance offshore. This project, through the improvement of the Kingscliff foreshore will aim to ensure that the environment including beach, parks or gardens, heritage and streetscapes is preserved and responsibly enhanced. The removal of existing Holiday Park infrastructure from the Central Park area will enable the re-establishment of coastal vegetation within the Park. This will provide habitat opportunities for native species allowing an increase in ecological significance of the Central Park area. The creation of Central Park will provide the opportunity to enhance local habitat values and increase resident and visitor exposure to nature-based education and information. With increased awareness comes greater ownership and care for our environment. This project will ultimately include effective visitor information services including interpretative signing on the historic events of the foreshore to raise the profile of natural assets and issues surrounding them. Tweed Shire Council and the local community are proud of the environment of Tweed and the environs surrounding the Kingscliff foreshore and through this project they will undertake improvements, which care for the area and make it more sustainable. This project aims to achieve the objectives of the Federal Governments National Climate Change Adaptation Framework and
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the Environmental Goals of the Tweed Community Strategic plan. “The 2011/2021 Tweed Community Strategic Plan acknowledges that the management, protection, conservation and restoration of the shire’s environmental assets are vitally important, because it is environment that ultimately supports society and the economy. Without a healthy environment, local food and water supply is jeopardised, our highly regarded quality of life declines, tourism and associated business suffer and the shire becomes a less attractive place to live, work and visit.” The Tweed Community Strategic Plan environmental goal is to ensure the principles of sustainable development underpin Councils land uses & the design of our buildings and facilities. In support of this goal Council has developed its sustainability theme which aims to bring together all of its projects across the Council that relate to environmental management and sustainability technologies. At the same time the foreshore contains distinctive and important habitats and these support a diverse range of species, which we need to protect and conserve. Integrating socioeconomic and environmental/ ecological factors is crucial to the long-term sustainability and already features in several sectoral strategies of relevance to the coast and Federal Government and local policies on environmental sustainability. Environmental sustainability underpins every aspect of this project from design, decision-making, construction through to long-term management. Using a sustainability approach the project aligns with the Federal Governments National Climate Change Adaptation Framework, a myriad of regional strategies and Council policies.
Prior to sand mining (which commenced in the 1930s and was discontinued in the 1990s), the hind dunes at Kingscliff Beach would have supported a strip of littoral rainforest. The sand mining process involved clearing, stockpiling and burning dune vegetation (rainforest is intolerant to fire) and then levelling the dunes, hence the native seed bank is essentially depleted and the potential for natural regeneration is low. Rehabilitation of mined areas included re-contouring and revegetation with a limited range of hardy species, most of which are now classed as weeds.
8.1 Sustainable Procurement Tweed Shire Council’s procurement processes favour local procurement opportunities, incorporating recycled materials in public open space equipment, and installing energy efficient public lighting and renewable energy options (e.g. solar powered bbqs). The actions in Council’s Environmental Sustainability Prioritisation Strategy embed assessment processes and environmental improvements in capital works.
Table 4: Direct and indirect climate change impacts on beaches (Adapted from Aboudha (2006).
Climate change (driver)
Principal direct physical and ecosystem effects
Potential secondary and indirect impacts
Increased inundation of coastal zone disruption of coastal economy, tourism impacts
Disruption of coastal economy, tourism impacts
Increased coastal erosion Sea-level rise
Increased risk of flooding and storm damage Saline intrusion into surface and ground water
Displacement of residents in impacted areas Increased risk of flooding and storm damage to coastal infrastructure, restricted access and enhanced risk when using beaches
Increased wave run-up Altered wave climate
Storm frequency and intensity changes
Ocean acidification
Altered erosion and accretion balance
Increased wave heights, run-up and storm surge
Enhanced erosion
Increased storm damage
Southward shift in cyclone zones Impacts on reef-building corals
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Reduced storm protection function, less resilient and functional reefs, dissolution of calcareous beach sand content
8.2 Climate Change Strengthening the coastal footpath and cycleway will ensure active transport opportunities continue to provide an attractive alternative to road based transport, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving public health outcomes.
8.3 Stormwater Management Overland flow discharging from Marine Parade through the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park has historically caused erosion of the adjacent dune system and Kingscliff Beach. Whilst this is not the only factor contributing to the erosion of this beach, it is recognised that if this is not addressed, stormwater induced erosion may compromise the proposed beach stabilisation works. Bio-retention swales have been incorporated into both the Central Park and the upgraded Kingscliff beach Holiday Park. Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling indicates that the proposed measures would eliminate overland flows during regular storms (up to a 1 in 2 year storm event) and during larger storm events, modelling indicates the resulting overland flows would give significantly reduced peak flows and flow durations. This will significantly reduce erosion of Kingscliff Beach and the adjacent dune system by stormwater runoff.
Water quality modelling was undertaken with model results indicating that the proposed stormwater control measures would exceed the treatment objectives recommended in Australian Runoff Quality (ARQ) and current Best Management Practice (BMP) guidelines. The biofiltration process will remove pollutants from stormwater runoff including nitrogen, phosphorous, suspended solids and hydrocarbons. Additionally, the increased infiltration area would enhance the design life of the infiltration systems, resulting in lower maintenance costs.
8.4 Education The Central Park will include educational and interpretive signage as part of the development of the project. This signage will be used to increase awareness about the environmental values of the area.
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9. COMMUNITY EDUCATION & CONSULTATION
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9. COMMUNITY EDUCATION & CONSULTATION Tweed Shire Council has worked closely with a range of stakeholders over the last fifteen years on the issues and impacts of coastal erosion at Kingscliff. The Project is a direct result of working with the community during the development of the Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan. Tweed and Kingscliff caters for a range of recreational activities including walking, swimming, surfing, and simply relaxing and enjoying the scenery. In addition, the beaches provide a venue for social gatherings and functions, sporting clubs and events, and environmental care and education. Tweed Shire Council acknowledges that the problems of coastal erosion concern the whole community, residents, visitors and government agencies, and aims to foster constructive working relationships between all parties and to participate in developing and implementing longterm solutions with our community. Council recognises that by working together as a community we can go a long way to resolving all our coastal management problems.
The community has the right to not only be informed about issues facing the beaches and their possible solutions, but also to be involved in decisions about how the beach is managed. Community members often bring valuable experience, knowledge and skills to coastal management activities.
A number of public meetings have taken place since the 1997 to inform local residents and community groups, businesses to understand the community views on beach management options. These consultations have helped inform the erosion management, hazard reports and various other studies that have been undertaken. Council undertook an extensive consultation process during the development of the Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan (2007) and Kingscliff Locality Plan, both key defining documents for the community, Council and Government Departments on the future of Kingscliff. The Kingscliff Central Park Concept Design was on public exhibition from 7 March until 12 April 2011. During this period, Council conducted a number of activities to inform the community about the proposed Central Park and to encourage public input to the final design. These activities included:
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A dedicated website www. k i n g s c l i f fc e n t r a l p a r k . c o m . au featuring: – an online community forum – all relevant documents, including maps of the beach sand nourishment, Holiday Park redevelopment and Central Park layout – a video ‘fly-over’ of the proposed Central Park design.
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•
A community information stall at the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, at the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday, 19 March 2011.
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Printed documents were available at Council’s Murwillumbah and Tweed offices and its libraries at Kingscliff, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads.
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Fly-over videos on display at the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club and Kingscliff Beach Club. The information session provided an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Council representatives about Kingscliff Central Park and the Foreshore Master Plan.
9.1 Project Delivery Mitigating and minimising disruption to business during the construction phase is deemed a key process and outcome of this project. A full program of engagement and communication with local business owners will be ongoing during all phases of the project. This feedback will inform the implementation processes to ensure project delivery fits best around business operations. Stakeholder engagement and communication is a critical success factor of this project. The efficiency of the project delivery will provide savings to Council and businesses and will contribute to the overall success of the project
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10. PROJECT DELIVERY
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10. PROJECT DELIVERY Tweed Shire Council will oversee the project management and manage any funding secured for the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project. The Council and Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust have allocated substantial funding for the Project as it is viewed as a strategic priority not only in terms of valued community amenity but also to act as a catalyst to secure the future viability of the Region by attracting and boosting investor confidence in the Region. This is supported by the significant investment from the Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust in funding the revitalisation of the Holiday Park element of the Project. The Project is investment ready with all works proposed, design plans and Masterplan being completed. Extensive community consultation has been taking place with the community regarding the Masterplan, Project elements and protection of the Foreshore. The Project has strong community support. All approvals are in progress and due for completion by December 2015. In addition, the various formal documents, which oversee the community assets have been formally adopted by Council and supported through the Long Term Financial and Strategic Planning process.
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10.1 Funding Arrangements It is envisaged the Project will have three core funding streams, Tweed Holiday Parks and Reserves Trust (Funding the upgrade of the Holiday Park), Tweed Shire Council (Seawalls and Central Park) and the Commonwealth Government (Seawalls and Central Park). Council will manage any funding secured for the Project and manage the construction of the Seawalls, Central Park and the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park. Tweed Shire Council and the Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust have committed the funding required to complete the Project. The project has been analysed with regard to Tweed Shire Council’s future cash flows and is within the capacity of the Council’s and Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust financial positions to fund ongoing support expenditure including maintenance. The ongoing funding to maintain the seawall and Central Park will be covered by the current allocations for the ongoing maintenance of the temporary seawall itself. Tweed Shire Council has the capabilities and experience to manage the funding arrangement of the Project. The Council is experienced in managing and acquitting State and Federal Government Grants with the Council successfully acquitting over $130 million of grant funding over the past six years.
The Council has a fully staffed financial services unit with 27 people employed across Council’s Financial Services including the roles of Management, Financial/Asset/ Management Accounting, Corporate Reporting, Taxation, Treasury, Payroll, Accounts Payable and Revenue. The section includes 2 qualified Chartered Professional Accountants and the remaining staff have minimum Tertiary qualifications in Commerce, Business or Accounting and post graduate qualifications. This Unit is responsible for the financial administration of financial activities in preparation of forward planning for the sustainable financial future of Council and residents of Tweed. The Unit currently manages a $194 million operating budget, which incorporates grant funding of approximately $21.6 million per annum.
Tweed Shire Council has the capabilities and experience to manage the funding arrangement of the Project. The Tweed Shire Council budget is allocated into various cost centres. Each project is designated its own cost centre and budget. These costs centres are framed in the context of Council’s four year delivery plan and annual operational budget. Council produces a quarterly report that is publicly available, which details all incumbent expenditure for all cost centres, and is subject to year end audit to ensure that the accounts reflect an accurate and transparent view. These procedures ensure the financial accountability of public monies are executed and managed in accordance with the relevant Acts that the Tweed Shire Council operates under.
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10.2 Ongoing Asset Management To enable the community to access and enjoy all the services and facilities that Tweed has to offer, the Tweed Shire Council owns and maintains a large portfolio of assets. With an infrastructure asset replacement value of over $2.6 billion, the efficient management of these assets is vital in maintaining safe, reliable and efficient services that help achieve the strategic priorities and goals of Council. The various assets created as a result of the Project will be managed in accordance with best practice asset management. Council has a detailed Asset Management Plan, which includes facilities located along the Foreshore and Coastline. The assets created as a result of the completion of the Project would be maintained in accordance with the Plan and any planned maintenance and capital funding reviewed and allocated annually. Council recognises that failure to adequately plan for the renewal of assets and the development of new assets will result in the needs of the community, now and into the future, not being met. As such Council has developed an Asset Management Strategy, Council’s Asset Management Policy as part of Council’s goal to adopt contemporary best practice in Asset Management. The Asset Management Strategy provides clear courses of action for managing Asset Management at Council and supports the Tweed Shire’s Community Strategic Plan and Asset Management Policy. The Asset Management Strategy is also the basis for outlining and monitoring Key Performance Indicators and provides Council with the ability to monitor, measure and report on asset management plans and processes.
These key documents allow Council the:
•
Ability to provide better outputs with fewer resources by better aligning Council resources and needs.
•
Ability to understand what condition the assets are in and by monitoring the effect actions are having on them. Having a key set of actions that will allow Council to manage the provision of these assets into the future at lowest longterm cost.
•
Ability to assign appropriate levels of funding for each asset class in line with the respective service level targets. Being able to clearly define what service levels Council can deliver to customers, the rate-payers and users.
10.3 Project Management The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project Management Plan has been formulated specifically for the implementation of the Projects three core activities:
•
Foreshore Seawall
•
Central Park and
•
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park revitalisation.
The Project will be managed in accordance with Tweed Shire Council’s Project Management Procedure, which documents the overarching project controls that will be followed for the life of the project.
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The Project Management Plan has been developed for the Project to provide:
•
A comprehensive overview of the project outputs and describes the roles and responsibilities of each of the parties;
•
Key stakeholders (Government, funding parties, project staff) with a documented framework to ensure the delivery of defined project outcomes and to effectively monitor the project from start to finish; and
•
A formalised agreement between the governing body and the Project Manager regarding the project structure, scope and key components.
Detailed cost estimates for each element of the project are provided in the Project Management Plan. These estimates have been developed by Tweed Shire Council’s Engineering Division. Although not independently verified Tweed’s Engineering division has used its recent experience to develop and maintain unit rates for cost estimation purposes. This experience includes:
•
Construction of over 700m of rock walls at Kingscliff in the last five years.
•
Construction of 70m of reinforced concrete piled seawall in front of the Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club.
•
Construction of the following Parks: Jack Evan Boat Harbour, Arkinstall Regional Sports Facility, Faulks Park, Jack Bayliss Park, Fingal Boat Harbour and Hastings Point Park.
•
Construction of North Holiday Park
Kingscliff
•
Construction of 70m of 4m high sandbag seawall
These works have been constructed using both Council’s day labour and contractors. They have allowed Council’s Engineering Division to gather considerable data for cost estimating directly relevant to the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project.
10.4 Risk Management Tweed Shire Council recognises that managing risks in infrastructure projects is a very important management process in order to achieve the Project objectives in terms of time, cost, quality, safety and environmental sustainability. As such to identify and appropriately treat risks affecting the project, Council’s Risk Management Team have developed a comprehensive Risk Management Plan, including Risk Management Matrix for the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project. The objective of the Project Risk Management Plan is to manage the actions to identify, assess and treat risks to the project objectives and its delivered system to create, maintain, action and report upon the risk register. The Plan is a living document that is completed and updated throughout the life of the project. Risks identified in the plan are general and relate to the whole of the project. These risks are further described in detail in the MDP5 Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan workspace in Council’s project management system. The high level Risk Analysis includes identified risk, estimate and schedule items, new risks, secondary risks, scope changes, change orders and actual costs, so as
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to provide a graphic depiction of the changing nature of project risk over time. Due to the nature of risks involved in the implementation of the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project Council recognises that the Risk Management Plan will require regular review. The responsibility of maintaining the Plan and the associated registers up to date will be the responsibility of the Project Manager. The National standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management – Principles and Guidelines provides the generic framework for risk management strategies for this project. Internal and external policies adopted to guide the risk management procedures in the Project include:
•
Tweed Shire Councils Risk Management policies;
•
TPP 09-05 : Internal Audit and Risk Management Policy for the NSW public sector by New South Wales Treasury;
•
HB 327:201 Communicating and Consulting about Risk;
•
IEC/ISO 31010:2009 Risk Management – Risk Assessment Techniques; ISO Guide 73: 2009 Risk Management – Vocabulary; and
•
HB 436:2004 Risk Management Guidelines Companion to AS/NZS 4360:20
Tweed Shire Council believes that good risk management involves the entire project team including design, engineering, business, contracts, finance, purchasing, estimating and project controls.
The process is ongoing, a never ending cycle and iterative process of identification, quantification, modelling, management and monitoring. As such senior management will promulgate organisational risk management policy, and actively support the risk management actions required for the project and ensure that all project stakeholders and participants support these actions.
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The Project Manager will lead the project team and is assigned the authority and responsibility for meeting the project objectives including the overall management of the risks identified within the project.
11. STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
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11. STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project directly aligns with the multiple policies, strategies and actions of the Federal Government, NSW Government, regional strategies and The Tweed Shire Community Strategic Plans. Strategic Plans for the Tweed Shire, both over time and geographically, reinforce the role of Kingscliff as a key hub of the Richmond Tweed Region and the critical role the beach and foreshore play in destination appeal and liveability of Region. This role is supported by a series of strategic plans which are currently in place and being implemented.
11.1 Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers The Project aligns with the Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers (RDANR) strategic plan. Written support has been received for the Project, which notes:
“This infrastructure program is vitally important to the Tweed Valley and has strong support from the community. Tweed Shire Council has allocated over $10million for the project as it is a priority project for the region.” The Project aligns with the following key aspects of the RDA Northern Rivers Regional Plan as follows: -
Priority 3. Natural infrastructure: 3.1 Support measures to maintain and improve the region’s irreplaceable natural infrastructure, in particular the key strategies and actions identified in the Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan. Priority 4: Sustainable industry 4.7: Attract investment to the region to complement and grow established and merging new industries Priority 6: Regional identity 6.2: Grow and develop the Northern Rivers’ visitor economy consistent with the region’s identity 6.3: Promote the region’s rich natural asset pose and high quality and clean, green image as a means of communicating competitive advantage and accessing international, national and regional markets. Priority 7: A collaborative region 7.7 Coordinate the region’s economic development planning, promotion, facilitation and development activities using cluster and/or placebased approaches
Priority 1: Connected communities 7.3: support initiatives to use existing or ageing infrastructure to meet future needs
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“This critical infrastructure development will be a significant enabler of economic benefit to the Tweed and the Northern Rivers region as a whole. Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers is pleased to support this significant regional infrastructure enhancement.” (John Walker, Chairperson RDA Northern Rivers)”
11.2 Northern Rivers Regional Social Plan 2013-2018 The Project aligns with the Northern Rivers Regional Social Plan 2013-2018, which was developed in conjunction with the Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers. The Plan includes the voices of the community, identifies regional community development priorities and initiates key actions to address identified social priorities across the seven local government areas of Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Byron Bay, Ballina and Tweed. The Project will directly assist in achieving the following outcomes of the plan: 1. A region where our children and young people reach their potential 2. A region where people with disabilities reach their fullest potential 3. A region that closes the gap between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people 4. A region where people are healthy 5. A region where people participate
in meaningful education
employment
and
7. A region of people who value and enjoy our unique natural, arts and cultural assets 9. A region with sustainable, viable, community assets 10. A vibrant, innovative regional economy The Project through the creation of open space and recreational infrastructure will deliver many social benefits for the region including building community pride, strengthening the Tweed community, encouraging social connectivity, providing access and reduction in crime.
11.3
NSW 2021
The Plan aligns with a number of objectives in the State Governments strategic plan, NSW 2021. NSW 2021 is the 10-year plan to rebuild the economy, provide quality services, renovate infrastructure, restore government accountability and strengthen our local environment and communities. Tourism was identified amongst the priorities for action in NSW 2021, with a high potential for growth and a key goal ‘to increase tourism in NSW with double the overnight visitor expenditure by 2020’. The program is critically aligned to NSW 2021 Goals and will assist in meeting many of the goals of NSW 2021. These include: Goal 1 Improve the performance of the NSW economy; Goal 3 Drive economic growth in regional NSW; Goal 11 Keep people healthy and out of hospital;
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Goal 14 Increase opportunities for people with a disability; Goal 19 Invest in critical infrastructure; Goal 24 make it easier for people to be involved in their communities; and
11.5 Tweed Shire Council Community Strategic Plan 2013-23
Goal 27 Enhance cultural, creative, sporting and recreation opportunities.
The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project is directly aligned with the objectives and priorities of Tweed Shire Council Community Strategic Plan 2013/23, specifically:
11.4 The Visitor Economy Action Plan
Objective 1.1 Ensure actions taken and decisions reached are based on the principles of sustainability.
The Visitor Economy Action Plan outlines a number of key priority actions to enable the achievement of the NSW Governments goal ‘to increase tourism in NSW with double the overnight visitor expenditure by 2020’. A number of immediate actions outlined in the plan are pertinent to the supply of tourist accommodation and other visitor economy related facilities on Crown land such as the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park. These include improving planning processes to encourage quality and appropriate accommodation on Crown land in locations of high natural amenity (Action 35D) and identifying and releasing land for visitor economy purposes (Action 6C).
Objective 1.2 Improve decision making by engaging stakeholders and taking into account community input.
The Plan also advocates implementation of Destination Management Planning to enable a coordinated approach to addressing demand and supply, policy and planning issues including infrastructure requirements and the role of Crown land within the identified zones (Action 18A). In this context the Reserve Trust has a responsibility to respond to tourism demand and to be aware of the dynamic character of the tourist marketplace in the State and in the region.
Objective 2.5 Provide vibrant and accessible town, community and business centres. Objective 3.1 Expand employment, tourism and education opportunities Objective 3.3 Maintain and enhance the Tweed lifestyle and environmental qualities as an attraction to business and tourism Objective 3.3.2 Facilitate governmentfunded infrastructure. Objective 3.4.2 Ensure sustainable provision of infrastructure (utilities, services and transport) is available to support economic development. Objective 4.1 Protect the environment and natural beauty of the Tweed. Objective 4.4 Manage the Tweed coastline to ensure a balance between utilisation and conservation. Objective 4.4.3 Provide for appropriate public access and use.
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11.6 North Coast of NSW Tourism Destination Management Plan 2013 The North Coast of NSW Destination Management Plan is the creation of a united Regional Tourism Network. In partnership with Destination NSW, 14 Local Government Areas, 14 Local Tourism Associations (or association equivalent of) and over 3,500 combined industry operators, community groups and agencies, and cross regional border partners, will provide the roadmap to achieve doubling overnight visitor expenditure by 2020. The Project aligns with the objectives of the Plan through sustaining and increasing tourism in the Region by protecting the foreshore and creating an attractive area, which will encourage visitors to stay longer and add to destination appeal.
11.7 Tweed Shire Economic Development Strategy The Tweed Shire Economic Development Strategy is a joint project between Tweed Shire Council and Destination Tweed. Both organisations play a key role in the economic development and promotion of Tweed Shire. The aim of the Economic Development Strategy is to identify practical actions for the enhancement of the Tweed Shire economy, responding to the opportunities and constraints to economic and business growth in Tweed Shire and the values of the Tweed Shire community. Tweed Shire Council’s role in economic development is to facilitate business
investment implement policy and create an environment conducive to appropriate industry. The Project directly aligns with achieving many of the outcomes:
•
Maintain a diverse industry and business base;
•
Provide investment certainty;
•
Support existing businesses;
•
Increase job participation and inclusion;
•
Grow jobs in Tweed Shire;
•
Promote and develop business sustainability (economic, environmental, and social);
•
Grow and develop an economy which does not negatively affect the natural environment and landscape values of Tweed Shire.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISION Tweed Shire will continue to develop as a dynamic place for business and investment, led by growth in health, retail, tourism and knowledge industries. The various components of the Project are inter-linked but are predicated on protection of the foreshore. The protection of the foreshore and creation of a vibrant community space for use by residents and visitors will enhance the destination appeal of the region and assist with increasing length of stay and therefore visitor expenditure into the local economy.
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In addition, the Project will also assist with the provision of employment opportunities through the creation of jobs in the construction and tourism sectors helping to strengthen the diversity of industry sectors.
11.8 Kingscliff and Cudgen Locality Plan Themes and issues relating to Kingscliff open space and recreation featured consistently throughout the community feedback obtained whilst developing the Report. Specifically, the community values the beach, creek and natural areas, with survey results identifying 70% frequent the beach and creek areas either daily or weekly, with almost 70% of respondents also stated that they utilise the walking / bike trails on a regular basis (38.9% daily, 29% weekly, 10% monthly). The existing cycleway network is well utilised however initial feedback suggests there is opportunity to improve the amenity of the network through wider paths, more shade, more seating, water bubblers and lighting. The core of the open space related issues include:
•
The need for more youth focused open spaces including a skate area and basketball court.
•
More open space for community based activities including concerts, music, food and wine festivals (such as Miami mini marketta) and farmers markets in addition to the regular markets.
•
More planting, shade and general improvement of amenities (including shade, seating, bbqs and lighting) required.
•
More trees and landscaping along the coastal reserve.
•
Improve the coastal foreshore area with a strong greening buffer extending north to south with more shade, trees and green spaces within the coastal reserve.
•
Need to improve access to the beach and creek areas including disabled access and provide more showers.
•
Access cycleways walkways.
•
Need to extend the existing cycleway and improve the overall amenity (shade, seating, water, bike stands, wider paths, lighting).
In light of the strength of the community’s feedback, Council through the completion of the Project acknowledges the communities embedded value of retaining and enhancing these spaces. The Projects appropriate upgrades and design solutions are increasingly critical as Kingscliff’s population increases and ages to ensure the retention of character and maintaining usability.
11.9
Tweed Sports Field Strategy (TSFS)
Prepared in 2014, this Shirewide strategy provides a framework for the provision of additional sports fields and improvement of existing facilities for future need based on population projections. The strategy identifies the existing sports field facilities (along with their age and quality) and details the likely demand for new sports facilities given the anticipated population growth for the area.
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The project considers sport provision trends and issues, as well as community based ideas and aspirations. The TSFS is broken down into different precincts with Kingscliff falling under the Mid-Coast Precinct. The TSFS finds that based on the existing and immediate projected population the there is a need for open (with active and passive) space within the Kingscliff Foreshore. The Project will directly facilitate this need for open space on the Kingscliff foreshore.
about to commence as part of the Access and Inclusion Plan
•
Improving access in open spaces and parks is another imperative in the Plan with Kingscliff not only a destination for residents of the Tweed but also the region and tourists from further afield.
•
There are accessible toilet facilities.
•
There is a significantly high population of older residents in the Kingscliff locality with connections to walking paths and exercise equipment along the foreshore an important factor for this development
•
The café and retail strip will benefit from creating better access to the open space across the road and improvements to the accessibility of the Kingscliff Hall for community events
•
The Access and Inclusion Policy also commits Council to providing universal access and social inclusion wherever possible.
11.10 Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2013-2023 The Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan prepared by Northern Rivers CMA, working with the DoP and local government provides a co-ordinated approach for all natural resource work within the region through partnerships and collaborations with community groups, individuals, industry and government. The project is consistent with this plan through ensuring that the economic potential of the region is realised while maintaining or improving the quality of the natural environment for visitors and the local community.
11.11 ACCESS AND INCLUSION PLAN There are many actions in the Access and Inclusion Plan that apply to this Project. These include:
•
Improving access to the foreshores for a range of activities including viewing, swimming, fishing, surfing etc. There is a beach wheelchair stored at the Kingscliff Hall and Disabled Surfers Australia has a major event there at least once year. A review of access to foreshores and waterways is
11.12 Tweed Shire Environmental Sustainability Prioritisation Strategy (ESPS) Council’s Environmental Sustainability Prioritisation Strategy highlights lead actions to enable Council to improve environmental outcomes in the Tweed Shire. The project will deliver on Council’s focus on embedding assessment processes and environmental improvements in capital works, and implementing controls to protect high value environments and landscapes.
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12. REFERENCES 76 | Business Case - PROTECTION & REVITALISATION of KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT
12. REFERENCES Anning, D. B. (2012). Estimation of the economic importance of beaches in Sydney, Australia, and implications for management. Doctorate of Philosophy, University of New South Wales, Sydney. Retrieved from http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/51799 Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS Cat. No. 8635.0 – Tourist Accommodation, NSW, 2013-14 Bureau of Meteorology. 2011. Model Outlooks of ENSO Conditions. http://www.bom.gov. au/climate/ahead/ENSO-summary.shtml. Accessed 5th July 2011. Goodwin, I.D. 2005. A mid-shelf, mean wave direction climatology for southeastern Australia, and its relationship to El Nino – Southern Oscillation since 1878 AD. International Journal of Climatology, 25, 1715-1729. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2011. Experimental NOAA/ ESRL PSD and CIRES/CDC Forecast of PDO in Pacific Domain http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/ psd/forecasts/sstlim/for1pdo.html. Accessed 5th July. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), 2010. Draft Guidelines for assessing the impacts of seawalls. NSW Department of Public Works (DPW). 1978. Donoghue, E. M. and Sturtevant, V. E. (2007). Social science constructs in ecosystem assessments: revisiting community capacity and community resilience. Society & Natural Resources 20 (10), 899–912. Byron Bay – Hastings Point Erosion Study. Prepared by NSW Department of Public Works, Report No. PWD 78026. Lofthouse J Britton G, Messiter D Entrenching Climate Change Uncertainty Into Kingscliff Foreshore Protection Works (no date) NSW Department of Public Works (DPW). 1980. Dreamtime Beach Coastal Engineering Advice. Prepared by NSW Department of Public Works, Report No 80006. O’Brien, L. Townsend, M. and Ebden, M. (2008). Environmental volunteering: motivations, barriers and benefits. http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/pdf/Env_Volunteering_Full_ Report.pdf/$FILE/Env_Volunteering_Full_Report.pdf accessed 19/02/10 Patterson, D. 2010.Notes of recent erosion at Kingscliff. http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au. Accessed 5th July. Patterson, D. 2011. Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Long Term Average Sand Transport rate. 20th NSW Coastal Conference, Tweed. Proudfoot, M and Peterson, L.S. 2011 Positive SOI, negative PDO and spring tides as simple indicators of the potential for extreme coastal erosion in northern NSW. Australian Journal of Environmental Management, 18(3), 170-181. Roy P.S. 1975.Coastal Geology of the Cudgen Area, North Coast of NSW.Dept Mineral Resources and Development, Geological Survey Report No GS1973/286. Short, A.D., Cowell, P.J., Cadee, M., Hall, W., van Dijke, B. 1995.Beach rotation and possible relation to the Southern Oscillation. In Proceedings of the 27th International Coastal Engineering Conference. ASCE: Sydney; 2439 – 2452.
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Short, A D. 1999, Embayed and structurally controlled beaches. In Short, A.D (ed) Handbook of Beach and Shoreface Morphodynamics. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, 230-250. Umwelt 2003. Tweed Coastline Management Study. Available at http://www.tweed.nsw.gov. au/Waterways/TheTweedCoastHome.aspx Umwelt, 2005.Tweed Coastline Management Plan. Report 1656/R03/V4. Available at http:// www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Waterways/TheTweedCoastHome.aspx WBM Oceanics, 2001. Tweed Coastline Hazard Definition Study. Report B12876.002.03.doc available at http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Waterways/TheTweedCoastHome.aspx
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13. ANNEXURES 1. Project Plans 2. Cost Benefit Analysis (2015) RedeConsult 3. Kingscliff Foreshore Masterplan
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PROTECTION AND REVITALISATION OF KINGSCLIFF FORESHORE PROJECT ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT PREPARED FOR THE TWEED SHIRE COUNCIL 21ST JULY 2015
Tweed Shire Council
Kathy Sloan:
[email protected] Lesley Arthur:
[email protected]
2
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
Table of Contents Executive Summary
4
Background
6
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
Cost-‐benefit analysis
6
8
Costs
8
Benefits
9
Results
11
Other benefits
12
Economic Impact Analysis
13
Construction impacts
13
Conclusion
15
Appendix A – Modelling Methodology
16
3
Tweed Shire Council
Executive Summary Background The National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) is an Australian Government programme to promote economic development in Australia’s regions. The Fund will provided $1 billion over five years to fund priority infrastructure in local communities. Applications to this Fund will be assessed via four criteria. This report provides an economic assessment of the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project supporting Criterion 1 -‐ The extent to which the project contributes to economic growth in the region.
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project The Kingscliff Regional Coastal Revitalisation Project will revitalise the Kingscliff foreshore, in the Tweed Local Government Area (LGA), through the creation of a central community hub, redevelopment of tourism infrastructure and connecting the walking and cycleway and beach to the Main Street and Central Business District. A vital element of this project is the construction of a permanent seawall to protect the public and central business district infrastructure from coastal erosion and natural events. The Project will involve three main elements: §
Foreshore Protection;
§
Kingscliff Central Park and Lions Park; and
§
Redevelopment of Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park.
4
Cost-‐benefit analysis Cost-‐benefit analysis is a process of identifying, quantifying and comparing the costs and benefits of a project in current prices. The benefits and costs should be compared against a baseline which is the equivalent of maintaining the status quo, in this case not undertaking the Foreshore Protection works, upgrading the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park or providing upgrades to other facilities. Using a discount rate of 7 per cent, the Project is estimated to generate a net present value of the net cash flow of approximately $35 million with a benefit cost ratio of 2.79. As the benefit cost ratio is greater than 1 and the net present value is positive, the Project can be deemed an efficient use of funds.
Other benefits There is a range of other economic benefits associated with the Project which will be lost to the different levels of government including: §
Loss of personal income tax revenue if individuals employed in tourism-‐ related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally;
§
Increased welfare payments if individuals employed in tourism-‐related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally and consequently seek to access Centrelink or other benefits;
§
Decreased payroll tax revenue, reducing accruals to the State government; and
§
Increase in unemployment levels locally, with the associated negative impacts on health, crime statistics and other social implications.
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
Economic impact The economic impact of the proposed infrastructure has been assessed in terms of the impact of the construction of the infrastructure. The economic impact has been prepared from the perspective of the impact on Tweed Shire as direct and flow-‐on impacts will affect the local community in terms of employment, household income and gross regional product. Based on the information provided by Tweed Shire Council, the estimated economic impact of the construction phase on Tweed LGA is: §
$6.1 million in GRP and 48 FTE in Year 1;
§
$5.6 million in GRP and 44 FTE in Year 2; and
§
$8.7 million in GRP and 69 FTE in Year 3.
The above calculations suggest an average FTE employment per annum across the construction period of 54 positions.
5
Tweed Shire Council
Background
§
Assessment Criterion 2: The extent to which the project supports or addresses disadvantage in the region;
The National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) is an Australian Government programme to promote economic development in Australia’s regions. The Fund will provided $1 billion over five years to fund priority infrastructure in local communities.1
§
Assessment Criterion 3: The extent to which the project increases investment and builds partnerships in the region; and
§
Assessment Criterion 4: The extent to which the project and proponent are viable and sustainable.
The objective of the NSRF is “to fund investment ready projects which support economic growth and sustainability of regions across Australia, particularly disadvantaged regions, by supporting investment in priority infrastructure”. 2 The programme aims to: improve level of economic activity in regions;
§
increase productivity in the regions;
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
§
increase employment and a more skilled workforce in regions;
§
increase capacity and improved capability of regions to deliver major projects, and to secure and manage investment funding;
§
improve partnerships between local, state and territory governments, the private sector and community groups; and
§
enable more stable and viable communities, where people choose to live.
The Kingscliff Regional Foreshore Protection and Revitalisation Project will revitalise the Kingscliff foreshore, within the Tweed Local Government Area (LGA), through the creation of a central community hub, redevelopment of tourism infrastructure and connecting the walking and cycleway and beach to the Main Street and Central Business District. A vital element of this project is the construction of a permanent seawall to protect the public and central business district infrastructure from coastal erosion and natural events.
§
Assessment Criterion 1: The extent to which the project contributes to economic growth in the region;
Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. National Stronger Regions Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. National Stronger Regions
2
Fund. investment.infrastructure.gov.au/publications/administration/pdf/NSRF_Guidelines_13May_2015_FINAL.pdf 6
§
Applications will be assessed via four criteria which are shown below.
1
This report provides an economic assessment of the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project supporting Criterion 1 -‐ The extent to which the project contributes to economic growth in the region.
For more than a decade the Kingscliff area has seen exponential growth elevating it from a coastal village to a key sub-‐regional Centre servicing the Tweed region’s network of coastal villages. With new residential releases to meet increased demand from people migrating to the area from predominantly Sydney, Kingscliff will soon surpass the population threshold of a small coastal city, namely greater than 20,000 people.
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
Coupled with population growth, Kingscliff is a key tourism destination, with the Tweed Shire attracting over 1.4 million visitors per annum3 injecting over $278 million into the Tweed economy (2013) and employing over 1,900 people4.
2. Kingscliff Central Park and Lions Park
To meet growing demand and ensure the provision and protection of vital community infrastructure, the Council and community of Tweed have identified the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project as a priority for the Region. The Project will involve three main elements which are outlined below.
1. Foreshore Protection §
Rock seawall to protect upgraded Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park.
§
Stepped concrete seawall to provide protection for the community and associated infrastructure adjacent to the CBD opposite the proposed Kingscliff Central Park.
§
Accessible beach access points connecting beach and community hub to CBD.
§
Stormwater drainage runoff quality and control.
§
Enlarged Cenotaph Area.
§
Recreational activities: Skateboard area, half basketball court, fitness equipment.
§
Board walk/cycleway to link with Gold Coast Cycleway.
§
Additional public parking.
§
New park furniture / amenities / viewing platforms/landscaping.
§
Refurbishment of the existing Kingscliff Community Hall to allow it to be more accessible and to better facilitate community uses.
§
Amphitheatre.
§
Facilities for disadvantaged groups, aged, disabled and youth
3. Redevelopment of Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park §
New amenities block
§
New office and managers residence
§
New camp kitchen
§
15 ensuite sites
§
20 cabins
§
Reduction in area to 60 sites
§
Improved facilities to provide a high standard park
§
New access road and improved landscaping
3 4
Destination NSW http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/wp-‐content/uploads/2015/06/Tweed-‐LGA-‐profile-‐1.pdf Economy.id http://economy.id.com.au/tweed/tourism-‐value?sEndYear=2013&BMID=50
7
Tweed Shire Council
Cost-‐benefit analysis Cost-‐benefit analysis is a process of identifying, quantifying and comparing the costs and benefits of a project in current prices. The benefits and costs should be compared against a baseline which is the equivalent of maintaining the status quo, in this case not undertaking the Foreshore Protection works, upgrading the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park or providing the Central Park and upgrades to other facilities. The cost-‐benefit analysis of the key infrastructure has been prepared using a real discount rate of 7 per cent, with sensitivity analysis conducted using real discount rates of 3 per cent and 10 per cent in accordance with Federal Government recommendations5. The key assumptions adopted in preparing the cost-‐benefit analysis are summarised below.
Costs The capital costs associated with construction of the proposed project have been provided by Tweed Shire Council and are summarised below. §
Foreshore Protection -‐ $8,818,100
§
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park upgrade -‐ $7,525,900
§
Kingscliff Central Park -‐ $4,150,700
§
Cycle-‐way connections to Kingscliff Central Park -‐ $204,300
§
Car parking -‐ $203,900
5
http://www.finance.gov.au/obpr/proposal/handbook/appendix-‐E-‐cost-‐benefit-‐analysis.html
8
§
Community Hall upgrade -‐ $212,500
§
Lions Park Furniture upgrade -‐ $93,000
§
Total -‐ $21,208,400
The funding sought by Tweed Shire Council under this grant application to the National Stronger Regions Fund amounts to $9,816,600 or approximately 46% of the total estimated Project cost. The distribution of funding sources per Project component is as follows: Project Component
Total Cost Tweed Shire Council contribution
National Stronger Regions Fund contribution
Foreshore Protection
$8,818,100
$2,240,200 (25.4%)
$6,577,900 (74.6%)
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park upgrade
$7,525,900 $7,525,900 (100.0%)
$0 (0.0%)
Kingscliff Central Park
$4,150,700
$1,000,000 (24.1%)
$3,150,700 (75.9%)
Cycle-‐way connections
$204,300
$204,300 (100.0%)
$0 (0.0%)
Car parking
$203,900
$203,900 (100.0%)
$0 (0.0%)
Community Hall upgrade
$212,500
$124,500 (58.6%)
$88,000 (41.4%)
$93,000
$93,000 (100.0%)
$0 (0.0%)
Lions Park Furniture upgrade Total
$21,208,400 $11,391,800 (53.7%) $9,816,600 (46.3%)
The various components of the Project are inter-‐linked but are predicated on protection of the foreshore. Without that protection, the other components cannot proceed. Continued coastal erosion of the Kingscliff foreshore will have a detrimental impact on tourism locally, a significant contributor to the area’s economy. This is addressed further in the benefits section of this report.
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project Assuming that the Foreshore Protection component is undertaken, adopting the construction of a 5 metre high concrete and boulder seawall, the remaining components will improve linkages between the central business district of Kingscliff and the beach benefiting local residents, local businesses and visitors alike. Upgrading the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park will provide improved accommodation facilities for visitors and the projected operating surplus from this will contribute to the ongoing maintenance costs of the proposed Foreshore Protection component. The other components of the Project are expected to contribute to amenity for local residents and, potentially, increase tourist visitation to the area. The timing of the disbursement of the Project development costs has been distributed over a four year period between 2015 and 2018 as advised by Tweed Shire Council. In the first phase, it is proposed that the seawall construction takes place, with completion anticipated in 2017. In the same year, construction of the other phases of the Project will commence.
Benefits The key benefits addressed in the cost-‐benefit analysis are the impact on producer surplus locally resulting from retention of existing visitor expenditure in the Kingscliff area. These benefits can be directly attributed to the Project as, without the infrastructure development proposed, there is a strong likelihood that coastal erosion will result in the loss of beach-‐related tourism locally. The key assumptions relating to visitor expenditure and the resultant impact on the local economy are outlined below.
Overnight visitors to the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area Data published by Destination NSW and sourced from Tourism Research Australia indicates that the LGA of Tweed attracted approximately 534,000 overnight visitors in 2014 (measured as a four year annual average), generating a total of 2,054,000 visitor nights. Domestic travel contributed the majority of visitors (96%) with 512,000 overnight visitors and 1,807,000 visitor nights, reflecting an average length of stay of 3.5 nights. International travellers made up 22,000 visitors and 247,000 visitor nights (12% of total visitor nights) with an average length of stay of 11.4 nights. Total visitor expenditure in Tweed Shire derived from overnight visitors was estimated to be $257 million with $243 million or almost 95% derived from domestic overnight visitors. The Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project is however likely to impact on tourist visitor numbers and associated expenditure in the immediate locality rather than the wider LGA. There is no data available on the total number of visitors to the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) of Kingscliff – Fingal Head. However, data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) relating to nights spent in tourist accommodation6 indicates that, in 2013-‐14, guest nights spent in tourist accommodation in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area approximated 42.9% of all guest nights spent in Tweed Shire. It has been assumed that that proportion applies to all overnight visitors estimated for Tweed in total, excluding those visiting friends and relatives. It is worth noting that more than half of domestic overnight visitor nights in Tweed cited holiday as the main purpose of visit with a further 37% noting visiting friends and relatives as the primary reason for visit.
6
ABS Cat. No. 8635.0 – Tourist Accommodation, NSW, 2013-‐14
9
Tweed Shire Council With regard to the proportion of overnight visitors staying with friends and relatives, the calculation has been based on the estimated resident population7 whereby just over 13% of the estimated resident population of the LGA resides in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area. Accordingly, that proportion has also been applied to the overnight visitor market staying with friends and relatives in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area. Based on the above assumptions it has been estimated that in the year ending September 2014, approximately 647,000 visitor nights were spent in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area, representing approximately 31% of the total visitor nights spent in Tweed Shire. Adopting the average expenditure per visitor night estimated for Tweed Shire of $134 per domestic visitor night and $58 per international visitor night would suggest that total expenditure locally derived from overnight visitors would approximate $77 million. Whilst it is likely that some of the expenditure by these overnight visitors would be made in other parts of the LGA, it can reasonably be expected that this would be offset by expenditure made in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area by visitors staying overnight elsewhere in the LGA. Data from Tourism Research Australia8 indicates the following distribution of expenditure for overnight visitors to Northern Rivers Tropical New South Wales. However, not all of this expenditure will be retained locally. Accordingly, estimates have been prepared regarding direct expenditure which will be retained in the region and accordingly have a direct economic impact. Table 1: Distribution of overnight visitor expenditure, Northern Rivers Tropical NSW 2012-‐13
7
ABS Cat. No. 3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2013-‐14 Tourism Research Australia – Regional Tourism Profiles 2012-‐13
8
10
Proportion of total expenditure
Proportion retained locally
Accommodation
33.0%
90.0%
Food and drink
29.2%
90.0%
Airfares
8.0%
20.0%
Other transport fares
3.0%
50.0%
14.8%
15.0%
Shopping
8.5%
40.0%
Entertainment
2.6%
90.0%
Other
0.8%
90.0%
Packages
0.2%
20.0%
100.0%
67.7%
Expenditure type
Fuel
Total expenditure Source: Tourism Research Australia, RedeConsult estimates
Adopting these estimates of expenditure retained locally, and therefore impacting on the immediate economy in terms of employment, household income and gross regional product, suggests total expenditure retained in the region of approximately $51 million in 2013-‐14.
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
Daytrip visitors to the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area The four year annual average data for daytrip visitation to the Tweed Shire estimates that approximately 910,000 daytrip visits were made. In assessing the number of daytrip visitors travelling to the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area, it has been assumed that the proportion of total visitors to the region compared with the total LGA is similar to the proportion of total overnight visits i.e. 31%. This implies that the locality attracts approximately 287,000 daytrip visitors per annum. Expenditure data from Tourism Research Australia for daytrip visitors and its associated distribution by sector has been applied, with the proportion retained in the region being equivalent to that adopted for overnight visitor expenditure. This provides an estimate of daytrip expenditure retained locally in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area of $17.5 million.
Beach-‐related tourism and associated expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area The Project, however, has been conservatively assumed to impact only on those individuals who go to the beach. Data published by Destination NSW9, has estimated that 44% of domestic overnight visitors to Tweed Shire nominated “go to the beach (including swimming)” as one of the top five activities during their visit. Applying the impact of expenditure by these visitors only, would provide an estimate of total retained spending of $22.4 million in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area. Similarly with daytrip visitors, only that proportion attributed to visitors who go to the beach has been assumed to be affected by the Project. Data published by Destination NSW, has estimated that 23% of daytrip visitors to Tweed Shire 9
http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/wp-‐content/uploads/2015/06/Tweed-‐LGA-‐profile-‐1.pdf
nominated “go to the beach (including swimming)” as one of the top five activities during their visit. This results in an estimate of total retained spending by daytrip visitors in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area of approximately $4 million per annum.
Loss of tourist expenditure Reduction in beach width, as a result of coastal erosion, is expected to have a detrimental effect on beach related tourism. A study commissioned by Tweed Shire Council from Griffith University10 indicates that the chances of experiencing an event which would result in zero beach width in a single year are 18%, but that the chance of the same event over a 37 year period is 100%. Accordingly, it has been assumed that 18% of beach-‐related tourism expenditure is retained as a result of the Project for the first five years after completion of the Foreshore Protection component (i.e. 82% of the existing beach-‐related tourism expenditure is assumed to remain and not be impacted by the Project). Subsequently, it has been assumed that 36% of beach-‐related tourism expenditure is retained as a result of the Project. These assumptions have been applied to individual years (in 2013-‐14 $ values) and are not cumulative. Without the Foreshore Protection, however, it is likely that complete beach erosion would occur, potentially reducing beach-‐related tourism to zero for a period of at least six years. That impact has not been included in the analysis.
Results 10
Griffith University, Centre for Coastal Management – Kingscliff Foreshore Management Options Cost Benefit Analysis, August 2013
11
Tweed Shire Council
The results of the cost-‐benefit analysis are summarised in Table 2 below. The analysis does not incorporate any benefits derived from construction of the infrastructure project or the impact of resident recreational value. Table 2: Cost-‐benefit analysis of the Project – 2015 -‐ 2050 Discount Rate
NPV of net cash flow ($ million)
NPV of Costs ($ million)
NPV of Benefits ($ million)
Benefit Cost ratio
3%
$78.43
$22.62
$98.86
4.37
7%
$34.68
$18.83
$52.53
2.79
10%
$19.17
$16.88
$35.48
2.10
Personal income tax revenue, if individuals employed in tourism-‐related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally. Data published by the ABS estimates the value and contribution of tourism to the national economy11 including estimating employment and tourism consumption by tourism-‐related product. Applying that data to estimated tourist expenditure by category suggests that visitor expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area supports the following levels of direct employment, defined by traditional industry category. Table 3: Direct employment supported by beach-‐related tourist expenditure, Kingscliff – Fingal Head, 2013-‐14
Using the central discount rate of 7 per cent, the Project is estimated to generate a net present value of the net cash flow of approximately $35 million with a benefit cost ratio of 2.79. As the benefit cost ratio is greater than 1 and the net present value is positive, the Project can be deemed an efficient use of funds.
Part-‐time
Full-‐time
Total
FTE
Accommodation
15.1
19.7
34.8
27.2
Food & beverage services
53.1
34.9
88.0
61.4
Transport
0.7
2.6
3.3
2.9
Administrative services
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
Arts & recreation services
3.0
3.2
6.2
4.7
Retail trade
4.4
4.6
9.0
6.8
Other industries
1.3
4.1
5.4
4.8
77.6
69.1
146.8
107.9
Total
Source: ABS Cat. No. 5249.0, Tourism Research Australia, RedeConsult estimates
Overall, it is estimated that beach-‐related visitor expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area supports the direct employment of almost 150 people, or 108 full-‐time equivalent jobs (adopting the ABS convention that 1 full-‐time employee is equivalent to 0.5 part-‐time employee). Based on flow-‐on multipliers calculated for the entire Tweed Shire, this would equate to total FTE employment in the
Other benefits There is a range of other economic benefits associated with the Project which will be lost to the different levels of government including:
11
12
ABS Cat. No. 5249.0 – Australian National Accounts: Tourism Satellite Account, 2013-‐14
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
Kingscliff – Fingal Head area supported by beach-‐related visitor expenditure of 176 jobs.
Economic Impact Analysis
Based on data from the ABS regarding average weekly earnings12 by industry, adjusted to reflect overall average weekly earnings in New South Wales and further adapted to reflect average income by industry for Tweed Shire by place of employment in comparison with New South Wales (derived from 2011 Census), results in an estimate of average weekly income per full-‐time employee (ordinary time earnings).
Construction impacts
Using data from the Australian Taxation Office regarding personal withholding tax contributions also provides an indication of the withholding tax revenue accrued to the Federal Government by each full-‐time equivalent employee directly supported by tourist expenditure in the Kingscliff – Fingal Head area. When applied to the total estimated direct full-‐time equivalent employment, the estimated withholding tax return to the Federal Government is approximately $1.0 million per annum. This does not include the impact of flow-‐on employment and the associated withholding tax revenue. Increased welfare payments if individuals employed in tourism-‐related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally and consequently seek to access Centrelink or other benefits. Decreased payroll tax revenue, reducing accruals to the State government. Increase in unemployment levels locally, with the associated negative impacts on health, crime statistics and other social implications. Currently (March quarter 2015), Tweed LGA has an estimated unemployment rate13 of 8.5%, significantly higher than either the New South Wales average (5.9%) or nationally (6.1%).
The economic impact of the proposed infrastructure has been assessed in terms of the impact of the construction of the infrastructure. The economic impact has been prepared from the perspective of the impact on Tweed Shire as direct and flow-‐on impacts will affect the local community in terms of employment, household income and gross regional product. The economic impact analysis was undertaken utilising an input-‐output (IO) model developed for Tweed Local Government Area. IO analysis provides a detailed picture of the structure of a regional economy at a point in time and can be used to estimate the contribution or impact of a particular sector of the economy including flow-‐on or multiplier effects. Marginal, rather than average, income and expenditure relationships for the household sector were incorporated in the analysis. As has been well documented, the household sector is the dominant component of multiplier effects in an IO model, as consumer driven consumption and income tends to dominate local economic activity. Capturing marginal income and expenditure relationships for the household sector can provide a more realistic representation of the economic system and remove the strict linearity assumption implicit in conventional IO modelling. Further details relating to the IO modelling are provided at Appendix A.
12
13
ABS Cat. No. 6302.0 – Average Weekly Earnings, Australia https://docs.employment.gov.au/node/34693
13
Tweed Shire Council
Economic impact of construction in Tweed LGA Based on the information provided by Tweed Shire Council, the estimated economic impact of the construction phases on Tweed LGA is shown in Table 4. All monetary values are expressed in 2013-‐14 terms. Table 4: Economic impact of construction expenditure in Tweed LGA, including flow-‐on effects Value Added
Income
Employment
$m
$m
FTE
Total Impact Year 1
6.1
2.8
48
Total Impact Year 2
5.6
2.6
44
Total Impact Year 3
8.7
4.0
69
It should be noted that the above estimates of the economic impact are not cumulative but reflect the impact, including flow-‐on effects, in the year in which the expenditure was made. The above calculations suggest an average FTE employment per annum across the construction period of 54 positions. 14
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
Conclusion Tweed Shire Council is seeking funding from the Australian Government under the National Stronger Regions Fund to complete the Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project. The economic value of this project has been assessed with the key results shown below.
Economic impact Based on the information provided by Tweed Shire Council, the estimated economic impact of the construction phase on Tweed LGA is:
Cost benefit analysis Using a discount rate of 7 per cent, the Project is estimated to generate a net present value of the net cash flow of approximately $35 million with a benefit cost ratio of 2.79. As the benefit cost ratio is greater than 1 and the net present value is positive, the Project can be deemed an efficient use of funds.
§
$6.1 million in GRP and 48 FTE in Year 1;
§
$5.6 million in GRP and 44 FTE in Year 2; and
§
$8.7 million in GRP and 69 FTE in Year 3.
The above calculations suggest an average FTE employment per annum across the construction period of 54 positions.
Other benefits There is a range of other economic benefits associated with the Project which will be lost to the different levels of government including: §
Loss of personal income tax revenue if individuals employed in tourism-‐ related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally;
§
Increased welfare payments if individuals employed in tourism-‐related businesses should lose their job as a result of decreased tourist visitation locally and consequently seek to access Centrelink or other benefits;
§
Decreased payroll tax revenue, reducing accruals to the State government; and
§
Increase in unemployment levels locally, with the associated negative impacts on health, crime statistics and other social implications.
15
Tweed Shire Council
Appendix A – Modelling Methodology The latest national input output table (2012-‐13) published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (ABS Cat. No. 5209.0.55.001) was utilised as the base table. The steps involved in updating that table to reflect the financial year of 2013-‐14 included: §
§
§
16
Data from the 2011 Census relating to employment by industry sector were analysed, in conjunction with data from the Labour Force Survey (ABS Cat. No. 6291.0.55.003), to determine the number of full time equivalent employees by industry sector in 2013-‐14. In converting to full time equivalent jobs, the ABS convention of assuming 1 part time employee is equivalent to 0.5 full time employees was adopted. The above data were used to calculate output by industry sector, in 2012-‐13 dollar values. Data from the Australian System of National Accounts (ABS Cat. No. 5204.0) for 2013-‐14 were extracted and information on Compensation of Employees and Gross Operating Surplus by industry sector was used to adjust the previously derived results in the relevant rows in the input output table. Similarly, data from the same publications relating to final demand were used to adjust the relevant columns in the input output table. The table was balanced and checked for accuracy against data from the Australian System of National Accounts including comparisons of the derived Gross Domestic Product and its components and Gross Industry Value Added.
Creating an input output table for New South Wales The national input output table derived for 2013-‐14 was used to generate an input output table for the same year for New South Wales. The steps involved in developing the State table included: §
Data from the 2011 Census regarding employment by industry sector by place of employment were analysed, in conjunction with data from the Labour Force Survey, to estimate the number of full time equivalent employees by industry sector working in each New South Wales in 2013-‐ 14. This was used to apportion output by industry sector.
§
Data from the Australian National Accounts: State Accounts (ABS Cat. No. 5220.0) for 2013-‐14 were extracted and information on Compensation of Employees, Gross Operating Surplus and the various final demand sectors extracted.
§
The above data were entered into the Generation of Regional Input Output Tables (GRIT) file incorporated in the IO9 software used in this analysis. The GRIT technique, developed by Professors West and Jensen of the University of Queensland, uses allocation methods and location quotients as well as superior data. It is the most widely used method of constructing input output tables in Australia. It is also commonly employed in Europe and America.
§
The resultant tables were balanced using the RAS methodology. The RAS technique is a bi-‐proportional iterative adjustment method designed to modify a base input output matrix to fit new row and column totals. The rows and columns are adjusted proportionally to the new row and column totals in turn, and the cycle repeated until the actual row and column totals converge to the specified values. This may require some
Protection and Revitalisation of Kingscliff Foreshore Project
adjustment to the tolerances of individual sectors to enable the table to converge. §
The balanced tables were then checked for accuracy against data from the Australian National Accounts: State Accounts including comparisons of the derived Gross State Product and its components and Gross Industry Value Added.
§
The above data were incorporated into the GRIT file, along with data for the relevant university campus as outlined below, and the resultant tables balanced using the RAS methodology. The balanced tables were checked for reasonableness by comparing Gross Regional Product per capita and per full time equivalent employee with the State average.
Creating the regional input output table The input output table developed for 2013-‐14 for New South Wales was used to create the relevant regional table for Tweed LGA. This incorporated the following steps: §
Data from the 2011 Census regarding employment by industry sector by place of employment were analysed, in conjunction with Census data relating to full time and part time employment by industry sector and data from the Labour Force Survey, to estimate the number of full time equivalent employees by industry sector working in each area in 2013-‐14. This was used to estimate output by industry sector.
§
Data from the 2011 Census relating to weekly income by industry sector were extracted and compared with the average weekly income by industry sector for New South Wales. The resultant ratio was used to adjust State level Compensation of Employees by full time equivalent by industry sector to a regional level.
§
Average weekly income per capita for persons residing in each area was calculated from data from the 2011 Census and compared with the State average. The resultant ratio was used to adjust State level Household Final Consumption Expenditure and Ownership of Dwellings per capita to a regional level.
17
Tweed Shire Council
Kingscliff Foreshore Master Plan Kingscliff Central Park
Tweed Shire Council is planning a new Kingscliff Central Park, to provide a vibrant public open space which links the beach with the town’s central business district.
Concept plans Council is exhibiting concept plans for the Central Park, which include a boardwalk, landscaping, picnic shelters, play equipment and a larger ANZAC memorial space. The Central Park is a major feature of the Kingscliff Foreshore Master Plan adopted by Council in July 2007, to establish a vision for future foreshore upgrades.
The vibrant cafe belt of Kingscliff
Council has already implemented sections of the master plan, including: • Construction of an underground pile wall in front of the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club. • An upgrade of Jack Bayliss Park at North Kingscliff The Central Park is part of the master plan’s next stage, a three-step process for the foreshore between Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club and the Kingscliff Beach (Bowling) Club.
Kingscliff Central Park, located to the north of Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, will be a centrepiece of the Kingscliff foreshore and a community hub for the town. It will serve as a venue for festivals and performances and a gathering place for locals and visitors to Marine Parade’s shops and cafes.
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Three-step plan Step 1 – Restore the adjacent stretch of beach by sand nourishment. Step 2 - Redevelop the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and reduce its size. Step 3 - Create the Kingscliff Central Park on the land vacated by the reduced Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park.
Step 1 - Sand nourishment Council plans to place 250,000 cubic metres of sand from the Tweed River, downstream of Barney’s Point Bridge, to the southern section of Kingscliff Beach. Sand nourishment will restore the eroded Kingscliff Beach to its pre 2009 condition and provide additional protection to the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and the Kingscliff Community Hall, which are within the immediate coastal erosion hazard zone.
The beach nourishment program will create a dune with a crest level five metres above mean sea level and widen the existing beach. This will move the coastal hazard line – an indicator of erosion risk seaward. Ongoing nourishment and dune management will shift the hazard line seaward of the redeveloped holiday park and the new Kingscliff Central Park.
Footprint of redeveloped Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park
Vacated area of Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park for Kingscliff Central Park
Step 2 - Redevelop Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park Once the beach nourishment is completed, the Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park can be redeveloped and reduced in size. The reduced size will create space for the Kingscliff Central Park, while enabling the creation of a public foreshore cycleway, boardwalk and beach access points.
The redevelopment will include: • Construction of new amenities blocks, recreational elements and improved facilities to provide a high standard park. • Reducing the sites to around 60, with a mix of cabins, ensuite sites and camp sites. • Reduce the park’s area to create space for the new Kingscliff Central Park. • Landscaping which incorporates foreshore works. • New management facilities.
Redeveloped Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park
Kingscliff Central Park
Step 3 - Kingscliff Central Park Beach nourishment will protect the proposed Kingscliff Central Park and the Holiday Park redevelopment will vacate 12,000 square metres of land for the park. Central Park is designed to be a large community space at the heart of the Kingscliff central business district - a destination for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery, engage with family and friends at an open air barbecue or take a leisurely walk along the foreshore pathway. The design will utilise existing stands of coastal trees and many additional trees will be planted to provide natural shade and retain the park’s natural feel. A new amenities building with toilets and showers will be accompanied by seating, picnic settings, shelters and other furniture throughout the park, as well as drinking fountains and bins. A large open lawn area will sit at the heart of the design, to host events and serve as an active space. Strong visual and physical connections tie Central Park and the business district together, guiding the eye through the park and out towards the ocean. Pathways connect Marine Parade to an
enlarged cenotaph area - to accommodate growing crowds - and out towards the foreshore. The park design aims to bring different groups of the community together. A large play space will accommodate a wide range of age groups, with a halfcourt basketball court and space for young children learning to ride a bike or skateboard.
The Central Park will be framed by a 3.5m-wide boardwalk which will run the length of the beach protection area, from north of the Kingscliff Beach Club to south of the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club. The boardwalk will be accessible by wheelchair and bicycle and will provide accesses to the beach. It will be a link in the cycleway - walkway spanning the entire Tweed coastline.
y Park
olida each H
liff B Kingsc
8
Kingscliff Beach
8 9
6
9
5
4
Mari
1
ne Pa
rade
2
Legend
Notation
Turf Garden Bed Dune Vegetation Pavement Type 1 Pavement Type 2 Pavement Type 3 Pavement Type 4 Decking Boardwalk
1 Cenotaph 2 Community Centre 3 Cudgen Headland Surf Club 4 Existing parking 5 Amenities block 6 Half size basketball court 7 Additional parking 8 Beach Access 9 Barbecue 10 Playground
Shade Sail structure
9
10 3
7 7
Picnic Shelter
History September 2001: Council adopts Tweed Coastline Hazard Definition Study, which identifies coastline erosion hazard lines. It shows Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Kingscliff Community Hall are at risk.
November 2010: Council given licence by NSW Department of Land and Property Management to examine source of sand downstream of Barneys Point Bridge, to provide sand nourishment at Kingscliff Beach.
Project time frame*
July 2005: Council adopts Tweed Shire Coastline Management Plan, outlining coastal management strategies for each coastal village.
*Subject to gaining finance and planning approvals
April 2006: Environmental Impact Statement commissioned for Kingscliff foreshore protection.
May 2011: Council approval of concept.
December 2006: Coastal Management Strategy for Kingscliff refined to include: • A piled seawall in front of Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club. • Initial and ongoing sand nourishment of Kingscliff beach to provide protection against beach erosion. July 2007: Kingscliff Foreshore Master Plan endorsed by Council. December 2009: Jack Bayliss Park upgraded. September 2010: Sea wall in front of Cudgen Headland SLSC completed.
March 2011: Concept design of Central Park on public exhibition. May 2011: Council appoints consultants to undertake all environmental impact studies required to gain extraction approval for sand from Tweed River. May 2011 - May 2012: Detailed design of Central Park including community updates. May 2012: EIS completed and submitted to relevant government departments for approval. August 2012: Tender documents for Central Park completed. August 2012: Planning Approvals received.
Start of Construction (Sand nourishment, holiday park redevelopment, Central Park): Subject to obtaining government funding.
Want to find out more about the Kingscliff Foreshore Master Plan and how you can have your say? The Kingscliff Foreshore Master Plan is on public exhibition from 7 March until 12 April 2011. During this period, Council will conduct a number of activities to inform the community about the proposed Central Park and to encourage public input to the final design. These activities include: • A dedicated website www.kingscliffcentralpark.com.au featuring: – an online community forum – all relevant documents, including maps of the beach sand nourishment, Holiday Park redevelopment and Central Park layout – a video ‘fly-over’ of the proposed Central Park design • A community information stall at the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, at the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday, 19 March from 10am to 2pm.
• Printed documents available at Council’s Murwillumbah and Tweed offices and its libraries at Kingscliff, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads. • Fly-over videos on display at the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club and Kingscliff Beach Club. The information session is an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Council representatives about Kingscliff Central Park and the Foreshore Master Plan. For all information and updates about the Kingscliff Central Park community engagement program, please visit www.yoursaytweed.com.au/kingscliffpark from 14 March to 12 April 2011.
