Maloneys Beach Reserve access upgrade
Project: Providing improved vehicle and pedestrian access in the reserve
Timeframe: Unknown
Status: Preparing
Cost and funding: The work is estimated at $255,000 from Council funds
Project details
We are working to:
- Build a new sealed road heading toward the beach from the existing access road. It will:
- be located west of the toilets and picnic shelter
- be 3.75 metres wide and 115 metres long
- include a turning circle at the end
- provide 11 formal parking spaces including one accessible space
- allow limited informal parking next to the road
- not provide vehicle access onto the beach.
- Provide a 1.5m wide concrete footpath linking the turning circle to a beach access track.
- Provide a pathway to link the toilet block to the picnic shelter.
- Install timber barricades and/or bollards to keep vehicles within the designated road area.
Benefits to the community
- Improved vehicle access and parking within the reserve providing closer proximity to the beach and facilities.
- Safer and easier access into the reserve for pedestrians, parents with prams and people with disabilities.
- Improved connectivity between the toilet block, picnic shelter and beach.
- Protection of the beach and marine park from unauthorised vehicle access.
- Preservation of the natural environment by confining infrastructure to one area.
Environmental impacts
We’ve prepared a draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) to assess potential impacts of the project's activities and outline the safeguards designed to minimise environmental risks.
The REF is currently on public exhibition giving everyone the opportunity to review the document and share their feedback. Community input is an important part of the process and helps Council ensure plans reflect local needs.
To find out how to provide feedback, visit Public exhibition. Submissions close on Wednesday 4 February 2026.
A visualisation shows how the area is expected to look once the work is finished.
Background and purpose
In 2022, vehicle access within the Maloneys Beach Reserve was restricted following development of the Murramarang South Coast Walk and related facilities. This decision was made in coordination with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
As a result, vehicle access to the beach through NPWS land was no longer possible. Nor could vehicles access the informal track on Council land that led to the old boat ramp that was decommissioned in 2008 due to the impracticability of maintaining it. These vehicle restrictions aligned with the NSW Department of Primary Industry regulations, which have always prohibited vehicle use in a marine park other than to launch a vessel from a designated facility. Provision of a formal boat ramp was not a feasible option due to the unsuitable conditions of the open coast.
While some in the local community welcomed the reduced impact of powered watercraft, others – including boaters and jet skiers – were disappointed by the change. Access restrictions were repeatedly breached, leading to public safety risks, and some boaters strongly advocated for the return of vehicle access.
In response to concerns that the community hadn’t been consulted initially, Council sought feedback on the idea of reinstating the informal vehicle track to provide closer access to the beach. While Council could not support vehicles driving onto the beach, given it is not permitted by the NSW Department of Primary Industry regulations, limited access to an area near the beach was considered. Following community engagement, Councillors voted not to reopen the former track.
However, Councillors asked Council staff to explore options for providing access to the reserve, west of the toilet block. A report outlining three options was subsequently presented to Councillors and can be found in the Agenda of Ordinary Meeting - Tuesday, 25 March 2025 from pages 53 to 60.
Councillors voted to approve construction of a new road and additional paths to the west of the toilet block to improve access with the reserve without allowing vehicle access onto the beach. The resolution is noted in the Minutes of Ordinary Meeting - Tuesday, 25 March 2025 on page 18.
Project updates
December 2025
- Council prepared a draft Review of Environmental factors in relation to the proposed work and placed it on public exhibition for an extended period to accommodate the Christmas and summer holiday period.
- Council wrote to the Maloneys Beach community to let them know about the proposed work and the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft REF.
November 2025
- Council finalised a detailed design of the proposed access road, parking spaces and pathways.
More information
For more information please contact Council:
- T: 02 4474 1000
- E: Council