By Mechelle Cheers
Exciting news for Rye residents and visitors! The very popular Rye foreshore will now finally get its long-awaited makeover. The Shire has advertised for tenders to undertake the work which is expected to start in March 2025.
The Rye community might recall back in January 2020, a combination of Council funds and a State Government grant meant a total of $6.5million became available to implement the Rye Foreshore Plan (Grant gives Rye chance for new lease on life, The News 18/2/2020). Its implementation has taken much longer than anyone expected, with a few hiccups along the way, but it is now finally on its way.
The foreshore works will involve reconfiguring the horseshoe carpark near the pier, so there will be more green open space, an increased number of picnic facilities with an emphasis on access and inclusion particularly for people with a mobility issue. Additional landscaping will give shade and aesthetics to a bare spot. The Dromana granite walkway will be given a massive face lift with a raised pedestrian crossing from the Napier Street Plaza leading to it and the rejuvenated pier.
The planned works will resolve the issue of massive sand build up where the Rotary market is held, as the Pauline Powell (Board) Walk will be extended and the site revegetated. Rye Community Group Alliance (RCGA) has requested all-inclusive picnic tables be installed under the Norfolk Pines. The camping sites will be reconfigured with less but larger sites and no camping in the middle of town. Camping will be predominantly consolidated on the western end of the foreshore.
RCGA has been involved in this critical Rye project since the very beginning, from initially lobbying Council for implementation of the Foreshore module and Napier Street component of the Rye Township Plan. It also involved submitting budget proposals to Council for project funding and then monitoring the progress of the detailed design stage. Napier Street was completed in 2021. It was good working with Shire Officers.
RCGA is also working to get the playground rejuvenated and more inclusive for children and adults with mobility issues. Rye Lions (an RCGA member group) is working on replacing/rejuvenating the Lions Shelter. The end result will be a more usable and attractive foreshore which matches the beauty and vista of Rye Bay beaches.
RCGA has advocated where necessary to maximise township planning and maintenance outcomes that result in benefitting the majority of Rye residents. In fact, a key principle underlying the work of RCGA is raising Council awareness that they should get it right first and foremost for residents. After a nearly 5-year wait RCGA and the community are looking forward to a rejuvenated foreshore. (The plan is available on the Shire website).
With the Foreshore almost there, RCGA has now turned to working with local traders and Council to brighten up the retail strip and surrounds. They undertook a similar project in 2024 with Council and Rye Primary School that resulted in a fresh new look for the area near the Civic Centre.
- Mechelle Cheers is the chair of Rye Community Group Alliance
First published in the Mornington News – 15 October 2024
