Batemans Bay Waterfront Master Plan and Activation Strategy Plan

Batemans Bay Waterfront Master Plan and Activation Strategy

Eurobodella Shire Council

Inspiration

A successful waterfront is one that draws people to it, thrives day and night and supports a strong local economy. Activation and quality urban design are central to achieving these aims.

At Batemans Bay, this vision of an energised waterfront commensurate with the natural beauty of its foreshore and immediacy of its CBD to the sea hadn’t been achieved. The challenge of the project then, was to bring people on a journey to understand the opportunities inherent in their waterfront.

Outcomes

In bringing our enthusiasm for place-shaping to a doubtful town Council and community, we successfully promoted appropriate solutions that addressed the need for improved amenity and spatial variety.  Respect for local knowledge, gleaned through an iterative engagement process including activation events underpin the vision and principles that guide the strategy and master plan.  Inspiring Place provided directions for physical improvements and policies to support use and programming that creatively addressed community concerns for healthy lifestyles, residential and commercial development, improved environmental quality, active transport and climate hazard adaptation.

The Strategy was unanimously adopted by Council, who wholeheartedly embraced its expansive vision for action as the tool they’ve need to enliven the town’s foreshore.  

Recognition

2021 Award of Excellence in Urban Design, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
(New South Wales).

2021 Regional Achievement Award, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
(New South Wales).

The best recognition comes from the client who congratulated us on a “robustly argued strategy that enthused Council to take action” and who recognised our role as “advocates for excellence in planning and design, facilitators of community ideas and motivators for action” (Liz Rankin, Divisional Manager Strategic and Sustainable Growth). 

Photography: Jordan Davis