Access to Forster Beach at Scotts Head improved

Published on 15 December 2025

Accessible entry to Forster Beach, Scotts Head, has been significantly improved with the installation of a new ramp funded by the NSW Government, Nambucca Valley Council and Reflections Holidays.

There is now a 20m long, 2.4m wide ramp onto Forster Beach (locally known as ‘Big Beach’ or ‘Main Beach’), enabling easier access onto the beach for people with limited abilities, wheel-chair traffic and also the Macksville Scotts Head Surf Life Saving Club ATV during hightide.

Nambucca Valley Mayor, Gary Lee, visited Forster Beach today, and said the new accessible ramp onto the beach, combined with the community’s beach wheelchair, would help to provide better access to the beach for less mobile residents.  

“Everyone enjoys relaxing at the beach and it’s great to see access to Forster Beach is now more inclusive ahead of summer,” he said.

“Forster Beach has a publicly available beach wheelchair, currently stored in a storage shed adjacent to Reflections Holidays park, which people can use.

“This new access delivered with the support of the NSW Government through a grant provided under the Coastal and Estuary Grant program – Implementation Stream, and Reflections contributing $19,800, will mean a lot to our community and visitors alike.”

Reflections Holidays CEO, Nick Baker, said the new ramp would make trips to the beach so much easier for many in the community and would also be appreciated by guests booking into the accessible cabin at Reflections Scotts Head.

“Scotts Head is one of our most popular parks for good reason and we are thrilled that we’ve been able to partner with Council and contribute to this valuable asset for the community,” Mr Baker said.

Council’s approved grant is on a 2:1 basis for Coastal Zone access improvements, from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

As a result of this successful grant, the following coastal works will be delivered across the valley: 

• North Valla Beach 4WD access: installed a causeway to restore some natural hydrology in the coastal wetland, improved access track by raising it about 1.5 metres and adding concrete tiles, rock armouring to the track sides and rebuilding dune to reduce erosion.

• Robert Lowden Reserve, (locally known as Humpy’s Access track), Valla Beach: removed the deteriorated wooden footbridge to install a new footbridge. Laid geofabric on dune path for stabilisation.
  
  
• Gregory Street beach access, to North Valla Beach: replaced footbridge as it was at the end of its life. Laid new wider footpath and soon Council will be revegetating the sand dunes with low-growing shrubs. 

• Valla Beach headland lookout: installed a new accessible viewing area, removed old headland fence and revegetated.
  
  
• Middle Beach access track, Valla Beach: installed new aluminium stairs to headland from carpark, installed new headland handrail and handrail in carpark from durable fencing made from recycled bridge timbers to reduce foot traffic through the coastal environment. Installed new beach access ramp onto Middle Valla Beach and improved old dune fencing.
  
  
• Swimming Creek four-wheel drive access, Nambucca Heads: removed old concrete dumped there, rebuilt vehicle track and installed concrete tiles to give stable base to track. Separated access points for pedestrians and vehicles to improve community safety.
  
  
• Beilby’s Beach, Nambucca Heads: stabilising sand dune. Soon Council will start works to redirect stormwater run-off away from the dune and replace the low set ramp with a footpath.
  
  
• Wellington Beach, Nambucca Heads: works will be done soon including installing a dune fence at the end of the V-Wall and improving access tracks by installing a raised board walk.