Tweed Heads CBD Revitalisation

This component of the Tweed Heads CBD Revitalisation project is on hold temporarily while Council finalises Crown Lease arrangements and development approval modifications.

• Pavement cleaning and leaf litter collection is continuing across the CBD and is making a visible difference, with cleaner streets and improved presentation in key areas.
• Targeted pavement grinding and minor infrastructure improvements are helping to address trip hazards and improve safety in high‑use locations.
• Upgrades to lighting in the border marker area by July will improve safety, visibility, and night‑time presentation. We are progressing the replacement of the border marker projector solution for special occasion illuminations.
• New decorative lighting at the intersection of Wharf and Bay streets has been approved to enhance the look and feel of the precinct and will help to create a welcoming atmosphere after dark. The installation of this is scheduled by July (subject to change) and includes:
  • fairy light wrapping of the feature tree out the front of the former Visitor Information Centre
  • fairy light wrapping of the 6 Brushbox trees on the main entry to Bay street (3 on each side)
  • some feature uplighting in the cove of palms on the Willy Whale corner and the opposite corner near the new bus shelters.
• Council is progressing with a Tweed Heads CBD Streetscape and Materials Masterplan (in the previous updated we called it a Precinct Landscape Materials Palette) including street furniture and public space design that will supporting a greener, safer and more vibrant town centre. This plan will take a few months to complete and will inform the planned streetscaping and infrastructure replacements/upgrades scheduled for late 2026/early 2027.  Council’s Equal Access Committee will support this also through lived experience audits and uses within the CBD.
• Enhancements/top ups to existing garden beds and vegetation are underway to lift the overall appearance while longer‑term soft landscape planning work is underway.
• Work is progressing to prepare the former Visitor Information Centre site for a potential new use, supporting increased activity and activation within the CBD. Council is finalising leases with Crown Lands and DA modification requirements ready for a public expression of interest once the project is EOI ready.
• Council and the Aboriginal Advisory Committee have identified opportunities for cultural storytelling through public art and placemaking elements across the precinct.

An initial clean‑up of leaf litter along Wharf Street and Bay Street has now been completed. A Public Works Notification has also been issued to impacted local businesses and residents advising that footpath pressure washing will commence from Thursday 12 February for intermittent periods up to 3 months. Please see the Public Works Notification(PDF, 323KB) for more information. These works will refresh high‑use pedestrian areas and support continued improvements to the CBD’s appearance and amenity. 

Upgrades to the Border Marker are progressing, with installation of enhanced electrical circuits and new technical equipment now underway. These improvements will reinstate the feature’s lighting and projection elements, creating a brighter and more engaging entry experience at the border.  Next, we are moving onto the tree lighting improvements at the corner of Wharf and Bay streets so stay tuned for that update.

Plans are progressing for a Precinct Landscape and Materials Palette to identify the landscape and street furniture improvements the project will delivery to areas of Wharf Street (to Florence Street roundabout) and Bay Street.

We have had a welcoming and positive start to the project with some good progress already as we officially kick the project off from October 2025.

• Grant awarding, deeds and project plans completed with the Project Advisory Group established and progressing all project stages across various Asset Owners.
• Stakeholder information sessions and engagement progressed with Councillors, Tweed Heads Business Chamber (committee briefing followed by Chamber presentation 14 October 2025), NSW Police, Twin Towns, Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Equal Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, a range of local businesses.
• Launch of this project page to keep the community and businesses informed along the way.
• Council and independent consultant John Maynard completed a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Audit and Implementation Plan. This was done in partnership with NSW Police and a range of precinct stakeholders and Council asset owners. This was completed in November 2025 and now informs our other precinct plans and priorities to consider.
• All pedestrian crossings in the precinct area were repainted in December 2025.
• Progress with some precinct clean-up improvements underway.  More to come in 2026.
• Initial options for improved vegetation, trees and understorey have been considered and are progressing for a planting plan in 2026.