Shaun Lawer from GHD, the Coffs Harbour-based town planning consultancy firm responsible for drawing up the plan, said at Thursday nights drop-in session that people were really supportive of the plan as it now stands.

He admitted that some of the ideas presented in earlier drafts such as curtailing vehicle access, relocating the sailing club and removing all the boat houses had caused concern within the community.

The final plan is a hybrid of the three main options initially presented but is closest to Option One, which was the option overwhelmingly preferred at the July meeting attended by 120 people.

Shaun said although he hadnt been expecting such a large and vocal crowd, he wasnt surprised by it.

Youre talking about an area that is obviously very sensitive to the local community, he said. Its a highly utilised reserve so people are passionate about how its going to be developed in the future. We welcomed all that feedback. I think in the end, its produced a master plan thats included all that community input.

Peter Armytage from the Bellinger River Sailing Club said it was much improved from the original draft and he was really pleased with it.

The main story is the win for the community, he said. They stuck together and went to the trouble of expressing their strong opinions, and theyve had a significant influence on this plan.

Urunga local Ken Sharkey described the draft as pretty good and said hed been involved because he wanted it to be the best plan possible for the town and future generations.

Bruce Pettit from the Urunga Tidal Swimming Group said the redevelopment would benefit tourists and the whole of the shire, and would be a big improvement on whats here now.

The main features of the draft plan, which is the final version being put forward for feedback before it is finalised by the Bellinger Heads State Park Trust, are listed below.

The preferred community option is to continue two-way vehicular access through the foreshore precinct. Although minor realignments are proposed near the sailing club and sensitive environmental areas the access road will remain as it is.

Foreshore erosion has been recognised as a priority. Stabilisation treatments are currently being finalised to protect key infrastructure and improve public safety. The immediate priority areas include upstream and downstream of both the sailing club and the private residence, and some sections near the boathouses.

To minimise impacts of unregulated vehicle parking in the foreshore precinct, parking of vehicles will be restricted to the main access road and designated parking areas near the sailing club, boat ramps and picnic and recreation areas.

A 2.5 metre wide shared pedestrian/cycleway along the foreshore will enhance accessibility and opportunities for recreation. The path will include interpretive signage with information about the heritage Atherton Drive reserve and identify viewing points at select locations.

Although camping was considered as an option for the master plan, this activity is currently prohibited in the reserve and will not be encouraged. Signage, bollards and landscaping will be used to exclude camping and recreational vehicles from open space areas.

The master plan recognises that the boat launching facilities and associated car parking arrangements are important to the community and need to be improved. The two existing boat ramps will remain.

The master plan recognises the importance of the boathouses to the local community and supports the retention of a core group of up to six boathouses, subject to the development of viable reuse options. The other six boathouses including the old scout hall will be removed and the land returned to public open space.

The sailing club is an important community asset and will be retained in its existing location. Future use of the area around the sailing club, including parking, road alignment and foreshore erosion measures, will be subject to further planning in consultation with key stakeholders.

The master plan recommends modernising and increasing BBQ and picnic facilities in areas that allow the best vantage points and views. A new amenities building (public toilets) between the two existing boat ramps is proposed.

Feedback on the draft plan can be provided until March 16 via the Create Bellingen website, by emailing community.input@ghd.com or by calling 1800 066 243.