Central Coast Council will commence the construction of a new Visitor Centre as well as upgrade the picnic area at Mangrove Dam on Monday 14 November 2022.

This work follows the destruction of the amenities building in the 2019 Three Mile Fire. The upgraded Visitor Space will feature a new amenities building, an improved picnic area and educational elements.

Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the design of the new Visitor Space takes into consideration extensive community feedback on how this space can support locals and visitors alike.

“In March this year we invited community members to share their aspirations for the space on interactive concept plans, which have influenced the final design of an exciting new Visitor Space at this significant site,” Mr Loader said.

“We received a positive response from our community on the Mangrove Creek Dam Visitor Space concept plan, with strong support surrounding key features including a new interactive visitor education centre and new accessible family friendly amenities and new picnic facilities.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said that Council is looking forward to providing the community with a new and modern interactive Visitor Centre and picnic area for all to enjoy.

“Following much needed Australian and NSW Government funding for this project, it’s exciting to see plans in action to rebuild the popular Mangrove Creek Dam facilities that were lost in the devasting Three Mile Fire,” Mr Hart said.  

“Mangrove Creek Dam is a highlight destination for the region, and we wanted to create a Visitor Space that encourages both locals and tourists to spend more time enjoying this beautiful area and support local businesses within the Coast’s mountain and hinterland regions.

“The community told us what they would like to see in this space during the consultation earlier this year and we are proud to have re-designed the initial plans to now deliver features that are valued by our community.”

The new Mangrove Creek Dam Visitor Space will feature:

• new interactive visitor education centre
• new accessible family friendly amenities block
• new children’s play space 
• new picnic table shelters, pergola shelters, bins and bench seating
• new soft native landscaping to picnic areas
• wayfinding and interpretive signage
• improved pedestrian and vehicle access including new parallel bus parking
• integrated public art (facade of building, to be installed post construction)

Access to Mangrove Creek Dam and picnic area will be temporarily closed during the construction period. For safety reasons, the community are asked to stay clear from this area until construction is complete.

Construction is expected to be completed in June 2023 (weather and other delays permitting).

Central Coast Council received $2.567million from the Australian and NSW Governments’ Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund to complete this important project and the design and construction contract has been awarded to North Construction & Building.

For more information and to view project updates visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/MCDvisitorspace