Airlie Beach Foreshore Revitalisation

Project has concluded.

Official Opening Celebrations - Airlie Foreshore Fiesta - 29 June

Whitsunday Regional Council held official opening celebrations at the new Foreshore on Saturday 29 June 2019, from 2pm – 6.30pm. The Airlie Foreshore Fiesta was a huge success, with over 2000 people enjoying the new area over the afternoon and the spectacular fireworks after sunset to end the event.

While the new reinforced turf is being established, the Airlie Beach markets will remain temporarily moved to Council-owned parcels of land along Coconut Grove, across the road. View the map here.

Key features of the project included:

57 extra sealed carparks,
120 market stalls,
New 10.5m high playground,
Sound stage,
New landscaped gardens and turf,
New trees, palms and shrubs,
3m wide pedestrian path,
New and easy to read way finding signs throughout, and
New shaded umbrellas throughout.

Background

The Airlie Beach Foreshore is an important feature of the Whitsunday region for tourists and locals alike. It is valued for it's beautiful bay and island views, relaxing lagoon and regular markets, festivals and events.

In 2016, the Airlie Beach community were asked to have their say about the proposal for revitalisation of the area, which outlined improvements to infrastructure, multipurpose areas and the beautification of surrounds. After extensive consultation Option A was chosen as the preferred option, with the markets remaining in their current popular location.

The detailed design was adopted by Council on 28 March 2018 and construction began in September 2018. The project was completed by the end of June 2019, on budget and in time for the July school holidays.

Revitalisation works were funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) ($850,000), and through the Palaszczuk Government’s $365 million Building our Regions Program ($2.83 million) and its $110 million commitment to areas impacted by STC Debbie ($2.657 million).

Official Opening Celebrations - Airlie Foreshore Fiesta - 29 June

While the new reinforced turf is being established, the Airlie Beach markets will remain temporarily moved to Council-owned parcels of land along Coconut Grove, across the road. View the map here.

Key features of the project included:

57 extra sealed carparks,
120 market stalls,
New 10.5m high playground,
Sound stage,
New landscaped gardens and turf,
New trees, palms and shrubs,
3m wide pedestrian path,
New and easy to read way finding signs throughout, and
New shaded umbrellas throughout.

Background

Project has concluded.

Community Consultation – Key outcomes

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Following an extensive community consultation process during June and July 2016, Council held a workshop in mid- November 2016 to review the findings outlined in the RPS Community Consultation Summary Report. At this workshop, Council established important criteria for future decision making with respect to this project and concluded on a preferred location for the Whitsunday Lions Club Markets.
The preferred location for the markets is in Option A, their original location, with some suggested amendments to the ideas illustrated in the concept plan. The outcomes of this workshop were then presented to the PGG at a meeting on 1 December 2016.
A copy of the RPS Community Consultation Report can be obtained here and in the Document Library.
Project Background

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On 25 May 2016, Council resolved to undertake Community Consultation on a proposal to beautify the park area on the Airlie Beach Foreshore at the junction of Ocean Road and Coconut Grove.
RPS were appointed to prepare some concept plans and gather community feedback on how the park area could be revitalised. Through the evolution of the consultations, and as a result of a number of issues and concerns about the existing facilities, access to parking and the operations of the Whitsunday Lions Markets, the Airlie Beach Foreshore Project Governance Group (PGG) was formed. The PGG comprised of representatives from Council, Whitsunday Sailing Club, Whitsunday Lions and the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and together the group has helped guide the discussions about the revitalisation of the Airlie Beach Foreshore. For more information and archived supporting documents, visit the Document Library on the right hand side of this page.