The Lennox Village Vision project aims to improve Lennox Head's village centre while retaining its low-key, social and coastal village feel.
Following extensive community consultation, planning and concept development, this project kicked off in late 2021. Stage 1 of the multi-million dollar project included undergrounding of electricity, installation of new stormwater and drinking water services, and the Ross Park Upgrade.
Stages 2 to 4 included full road reconstruction of Ballina Street (between Park Lane and Byron Road), new footpaths, stormwater, paving, landscaping, and street furniture.
Stages 5 and 6 saw the Byron Street/Ballina Street and Ballina Street/Park Lane intersections reconstructed. Works included stormwater renewal, watermain renewal, new kerb, road reconstruction and paving.
Stage 7, the Lennox Park Upgrade, was completed in March 2024. This major park upgrade features a new bus stop, amenities, footpaths and landscaping.
LENNOX PARK UPGRADE NOW COMPLETE
This major park upgrade has included:
This project has enhanced Lennox Head's green space by providing better shade and recreation for our community.
Timeframe
Commenced October 2023 and completed March 2024.
Images courtesy of Boyds Bay Group
Pedestrian access has been improved with installation of new pedestrian crossings at the northern and southern end of Ballina Street, and a new shared zone in the central hub, connecting cafes and restaurants with Ross Park.
Drivers must give way to pedestrians in this shared zone, and the maximum speed limit is 10km/h.
The new-look Ross Park in Lennox Head village was opened in 2022.
The upgraded park includes new play equipment, a boardwalk, concrete paths, covered picnic areas, seating, paving, interactive sculpture, and landscaping.
A key feature of the new playground is an all-ability, wheelchair-accessible carousel. Former Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year, Tracey Everingham-Armstrong, raised $30,000 to purchase the carousel through community fundraising events.
A timber fort and nest swing also feature in the new design. The nest swing supports all-ability and ages play while complimenting the nature play focus of the playground.
The new accessible toilet is now open in Ross Park. The toilet is located next to the playspace and features timber panels to match the natural environment.
The project is broken into a number of stages to be completed over two financial years. Stages 1-4 commenced September 2021 and were completed in January 2023. Stages 5-7 are now underway.
Stages 5-7 consist of intersection upgrades and Lennox Park upgrades.
Yes. Every attempt will be made to keep a travel lane open throughout the project. At times Ballina Street will be closed with traffic control and detours in place and the speed limit will be reduced around construction zones. Council encourages people to park and walk to increase pedestrian traffic to local businesses. We also encourage residents living within a reasonable distance to walk/ride into the village centre where possible during the construction period.
Please expect delays and plan to leave earlier than you would. We ask that everyone remains patient and courteous, especially when there are delays.
Some dust may be present during construction, however water spraying carts will be used to help minimise dust.
Noise and timing of worksThere will be noise during construction, this will include concrete saw cutting of existing surfaces. Construction will generally be Monday to Friday 7am-6pm, and at times Saturday 8am-1pm. Works may be required out of hours.
No. Council's focus is on investing in infrastructure to promote economic benefits for our community.
The entire Lennox Village Renewal project is a $10m investment.
Once complete, this rejuvenated area will bring significant social and economic value to the Lennox Head community and businesses.
During construction, Council will work with local businesses to minimise disruptions and to encourage visitors and locals to support local Lennox Head business.
No, however Council is reconstructing shop entrances from the footpath so there’s no longer a step up into shops. This will improve accessible access.
There has been extensive community engagement in relation to the design for the village centre including the provision of carparking. Some carparking spaces will be removed from throughout the upgrade area to enable other street and business benefits such as footpath widening, outdoor dining, level pedestrian crossing points and public seating.
Approximately 470 public carparking spaces will remain in the village centre upon completion of the upgrade, depending on the detailed design. This includes 11 accessible spaces and equates to 1 parking space per 9.7 people aged between 20 and 79 years (as at the 2016 census date).
Additional formalisation of on-street carparking is also being investigated for Stewart and Gibbon Street as part of a future upgrade project. Based on the Lennox Head Community Survey in 2018, 54% people said they would be willing to walk 250m or more to reach the village centre. Less than 10% indicated that they were unwilling or unable to walk more than 50m.
Part of Rayner Lane (adjacent to Ross Park) was upgraded as part of Stage 3 of the project.
The remainder of Rayner Lane does not form part of this project. This project is specifically focused on Lennox Head’s social and economic centre and recreational areas. However Council is currently looking at rescheduling future works to repave the remaining section of Rayner Lane.
If possible, we will move these works forward to be completed alongside this project.
The Ross Park concept has been developed through years of engagement from the local community. This included a Community Stakeholder Design Charette (workshop) with representatives from local businesses, community groups, residents and educational providers, as well as community feedback received during public exhibition of the concept designs.
The new play space includes an all-ability carousel, group nest swing, timber fort with slide and natural play elements including a wobbly bridge, balancing poles and a turtle sandpit maze created by local artists. The park also features an accessible toilet, covered picnic areas, shade trees, seating, and ‘art pavers’ designed by the community in association with the Lennox Arts Board.
The community said they want Ross Park to be “the connected and communal heart of Lennox – a place for nature play for all ages”. The design aims to create passive and communal space where children can play and adults can relax. It is also a space to support small community events.
The children’s playground located in the park has been developed by Council’s Registered Landscape Architect, taking into consideration the site constraints, aspiration of the community design charrette team and feedback received as part of the online survey and during the public exhibition period. A key feature of the playground is an all-access carousel donated by Tracy Everingham-Armstrong and the Lennox Head community through fundraising activities.
Ballina Shire Council began community consultation for the Lennox Village Vision project in 2018. During this time Council received 1,953 responses to engagement activities and received feedback from 30.5% of the Lennox Head population. Additional responses were also received during public exhibition of the concept designs.
The following is a timeline of engagement activities:
Based on the above engagement and data, Council further developed the draft concept design in 2020, which was exhibited to the public for further feedback. The draft concept plans were amended to take into consideration comments received during the public exhibition period and the concept plans were adopted by Council in August 2020.
A range of vegetation will be planted to create shade and visually enhance the town centre as the works progress.
The design includes approximately 65 new street trees in Ballina Street alone and many garden areas will provide shade, cooling, permeability and green open spaces. The final species is yet to be determined, but they will be predominantly native and indigenous species.
Consultation with the local community has been underway for a significant amount of time and will continue throughout the project.
The lighting within Ross Park has been designed considering the National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife Including Marine Turtles, Seabirds and Migratory Shorebirds.
Lighting on Ballina Street could not be designed in accordance with this guideline as Essential Energy has strict guidelines for the installation of street lighting.
The Lennox Head community will receive a letter and information brochure to their property before the commencement of Stages 5-7. Council will also publish project updates via Community Connect, project eNews updates, social media, project webpage and local media such as the Lennox Wave.
Residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to subscribe for emailed project updates see the below form.
The General Manager
Ballina Shire Council
PO Box 450
Ballina NSW 2478
40 Cherry Street
Ballina NSW 2478
Opening Hours
8:15am - 4:30pm
Monday to Friday
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