Following the successful endorsement by Coffs Harbour City Council of the award-winning Woolgoolga Town Centre Master Plan (WTCMP), completed by LatStudios in 2017, LatStudios were engaged by council to prepare a concept plan for upgrading the southern section of the Woolgoolga Beach Reserve, a key public beachfront park for the community.

Through extensive community and business consultation, a Design Review (by LatStudios) in 2015 identified the following key recommendations for the reserve:

• Shift the Town Centre towards a vibrant, people-focused destination
• Delivering a coordinated structure and design to the public realm which supports town image and community pride, and high quality, highly functional streets and public spaces;
• Integration and connection between the beachfront, Holiday Park and Town Centre;
• Designing streetscapes to enhance visitor experience and safety, particularly addressing the needs of an aging population;
• Designing the beachfront public domain to capture its full potential as a space for active and passive recreation, and civic identity for residents and visitors;
• Encouraging sustainable movement over car use;
• Maintaining the relaxed coastal village atmosphere; and
• Referencing historic elements

The Woolgoolga Beach Reserve concept plan addresses many key actions and outcomes identified in the Town Centre Master Plan including lifestyle, environment, design and accessibility improvements, to create a space for the community which reflects the character of Woolgoolga and addresses concerns from the community, obtained through community and stakeholder consultation.

The concept plan features a new playground, boating and fishing facilities, improved open space and natural shade, beach access, dune stabilisation, enhancement of views, protection of vital coastal vegetation, improved pedestrian and cycle access, wayfinding, new amenity facilities, consideration for activation with community events and markets.