Kingscliff Coast Guard training building

Organisations interested in utilising the training and boat storage facilities at Kingscliff’s Ed Parker Rotary Park are now invited to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) for their proposed use of the facility.

Council resolved last month to invite expressions of interest from rescue organisations, community groups and private enterprises looking to lease the former Kingscliff Coast Guard building.

Submissions will be assessed against a number of objectives as outlined in the EOI criteria - including proposed shared use of the facility, community benefit and cost recovery.

Visit the Document Library on this page to see the EOI invitation and criteria.

A variety of potential uses for the building were proposed during a community engagement campaign by Council earlier this year, which included a market stall and community forum and the training building.

More than 40 people attended the evening forum, which identified community support to retain rescue operations at the building and a willingness by groups to undertake shared use of its facilities.

Expressions of Interest will close on 28 October 2015.

Further information is available by phoning Shannon Heathcote on (02) 6670 2567.

More than 40 people attended a community workshop to discuss future uses of the Kingscliff Coast Guard training building and provided considerable feedback.

Visit the Document Library to see a summary of feedback received at the workshop, held at the training building on 14 July.

Only a few days remain to provide input into the conversation, which the first stage of public consultation set to close on 7 August.

Click here to participate in the online forum. Provide your feedback to issues raised at the workshop.

Further information is available by phoning Shannon Heathcote on (02) 6670 2400.

Participate in the Kingscliff Coast Guard building online forum to join the discussion about the best uses of the training building in the future.

Residents and community organisation representatives are invited to participate in community workshop to be held at the training facility on 14 July 2015 between 5.30-7.30pm to further explore options for the building. Click here to RSVP or phone Council on (02) 6670 2400.

However, the online forum is your chance to participate in the discussion at any time that suits you.

Residents and community organisation representatives are invited to participate in community workshop to be held at the training facility on 14 July 2015 between 5.30-7.30pm to further explore options for the building.

Click here to RSVP or phone Council on (02) 6670 2400.

This workshop will be open to all interested members of the community, who will have a number of ways to provide input as part of an engagement campaign which begins on 6 July and continue until 7 August.

In addition, an information stall will be held at the Kingscliff Lions Beachside Markets on the 11 July 2015.

This initial round of engagement is just looking to brainstorm with the community to identify optimum ways to utilise the building. There will be a separate, later round of consultation to invite formal expressions of interest.

What to find out more about the Kingscliff Coast Guard facilities and how they could be used in the future?

An information stall will be held at the Kingscliff Lions Beachside Markets on the 11 July 2015. Drop in any time between 7am and 11am to talk to Council representatives.

The future use must:

• be permissible within the site’s Public Recreation zoning
• generate income (eg leasing fees) that at least matches the cost of maintenance. The opportunities for this site offer potential to generate income which could help to meet the costs of providing for other community facilities.
• have the capacity to invest in minor repair works and visual upgrade of the existing facility
• be compatible with the amenity of the area due to the close proximity of neighbouring residents (eg noise restrictions, operating hours)

The Kingscliff coast guard service was originally established in 1982 as Kingscliff Radio Watch, founded by the late George Bonnett, a keen fisherman with a radio background.

It became a unit of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guards in 1985, covering an area from Tweed Heads to Pottsville.

The Kingscliff unit was initially based in the tower building, until its members build the training building in 2007.

However, the group disbanded last year voting against joining Marine Rescue NSW, which was formed as a single integrated service comprising other Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Units in NSW, the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and the Volunteer Rescue Association's maritime fleet.

Members of the Kingscliff unit felt the new organisation was counter to the 'spirit' of volunteer service, and they chose instead to remain part of Coast Guards as the last remaining Flotilla Unit in NSW.

However, the unit was no longer viable after its accreditations and funding sources were removed because it was not part of Marine Rescue NSW.

The Kingscliff Coast Guard Unit provided a wonderful service for the boating community for many years and Council wants to make the best possible use of the building.

Click here to read more about the history of the Kingscliff Coast Guard.