As part of the Church Point Precinct Masterplan, we're upgrading Thomas Stephens Reserve to create a safer, more attractive public space. This well-loved area between the Pasadena and The Waterfront Cafe & General Store will be revitalised to enhance pedestrian safety and improve the public space around the Church Point shops.

The final landscape design for Thomas Stephens Reserve has been guided by extensive consultation with our community, key stakeholders including local businesses and community groups, arborists, and other independent experts. It reflects shared priorities, enhancing the space while preserving its natural character.

Key existing features identified as being important to our community, such as the herb garden and most of the trees, will be retained.

The design delivers a more accessible and inviting public area, featuring a new boardwalk, wharf-style seating, tables, benches, upgraded pavement, planting, and improved amenities including bins, bike racks and a water station.

In response to community feedback, the plan also retains the existing sandstone planter at the street front, introduces permeable paving and tree surrounds, and repositions the bike rail for better access. While every effort has been made to retain trees, especially those near the seawall, an independent arborist has advised that some may not survive the construction process.

Every effort was made to preserve the trees in Thomas Stephens Reserve, particularly those near the seawall. The construction works have been monitored regularly by our consulting arborist and project team.

Following the removal of the existing seawall, a detailed evaluation of the structural roots was conducted to assess potential conflicts with the required infrastructure. While alternative construction methodologies were considered, extensive root damage to one of the trees is unavoidable due to the necessary dimensions and positioning of the stormwater pipe replacement.

The anticipated root damage would have significantly compromised the stability and longevity of the tree, making its retention unviable. As such that tree was removed and will be replaced with an advanced specimen suited to this location.

Community engagement on the Church Point Commercial Centre upgrade took place between 23 April and 23 May 2021 and we received 123 comments.

Since that time we have been reviewing and incorporating the feedback from our community, key stakeholder groups and internal business stakeholders into the design works for Thomas Stephens Reserve.

We have made a number of changes to both the landscape design for Thomas Stephens Reserve and the proposed road realignment works. Some suggested changes have been accommodated while others are not supported due to cost, conflicting community design desires or internal feedback from our various asset owners and maintenance operations within Council.

Our intention is to find the right balance between the wishes of community members and users whilst creating improved amenity and well-managed assets with a quality outcome for the budget available.