Coffs Harbour Councillor questions management and condition of Boambee Creek Reserve

THE state of Boambee Creek Reserve, as well as its management, will be up for discussion at the City of Coffs Harbour Council’s first ordinary meeting of 2026 on Thursday 29 January.

Cr Paul Amos has put forward a Notice of Motion asking that a report be prepared for councillors canvassing options to alter the reserve’s management arrangements.

He said the aim is to allow for more and improved public access, lower or remove the $8 entry fee, and seek better facilities within the reserve.

The reserve is currently managed by the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Land Manager, trading as Reflections Holidays.

Cr Amos said the report could include options of “annexing the reserve to the Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust, compulsory acquisition, or any other practical means of achieving the intended public access and facilities improvements.”

He said Reflections Holidays is responsible for about 40 holiday parks and dozens of associated community reserves across New South Wales, including at Boambee.

“The charter was “improving holiday parks on public Crown land”, with the goal of making camping and nature-based holidays “more sustainable, affordable, and beneficial for regional communities”,” Cr Amos said.

“To my knowledge, Boambee Reserve was originally developed as a space for the Sawtell, and wider community, to take their families to swim safely, play on the beach, fish and enjoy the outdoors.

“The shelters were built by Sawtell community members over the years, to provide undercover areas for people to have barbecues and hold family, sporting and club gatherings.”

He said the cost of entry has become prohibitive over recent years, especially for young families.

“Yes, you can park on Sawtell Road and walk down, but safe parking there is very limited and not suitable for the elderly and families,” Cr Amos said.

“Now that the café is closed, visitors cannot leave the area and re-enter without paying again.”

He said the closure of the reserve’s café is “unfortunate” and “perhaps there is a correlation between its closure and entry fee increases and visitor numbers over the past five years or so.”

Maintenance is also an issue.

“The condition of the park seems to have deteriorated,” Cr Amos said.

“There seems to have been limited attempts to remediate the erosion in some areas after large swells and inundation last year.

“A large part of the beach area has been roped off for over six months, which severely restricts the amount of space for visitors to swim and play.”

He questioned why there is a charge to enter the reserve, when access to similar parks in the area such as the Jetty Foreshores, and those at Boronia Street, Moonee, Red Rock and Woolgoolga are free.

By Mike HELY