Rye Township Plan

The Rye Township Plan sets the strategic vision and direction for the improvement of the foreshore, streetscape and town centre of Rye. The Rye Township Plan was developed closely with the Rye community, Rye Beach Business Association, Rye Community Alliance and Rye Community Groups and Club. At its meeting of 15 July 2024, Council noted the progress report relating to the Rye Township Plan Progress Report Structure Plan. 

Stage 1 of the Rye Township Plan rollout is being funded through a $3.25 million state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and a matching $3.25 million contribution from Council. A total investment in Rye of $6.5 million.

Stage 1 works include the following projects:

  • Napier Street Plaza Redevelopment
  • Foreshore Promenade
  • Foreshore Camping Reconfiguration
  • Foreshore Park.

Stage 1 works are planned to be delivered between 2020 and 2026.

Key features

Protection of coastal ecology

A key aspect of the project is to support and enhance local coastal ecology throughout the foreshore. Initiatives such re-vegetating and regenerating foreshore areas, rationalising beach access points and installing signage to raise awareness and value of the landscape are proposed.

During the detailed design stage, the selection of new tree species will be considered to maximise the biodiversity benefits associated with the project.

Indigenous heritage

Council is preparing a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the entire foreshore and will be working with the Bunurong Land Council to ensure that indigenous heritage can be interpreted and told across the foreshore.

Public art

The inclusion of artwork across the foreshore will help to make the space more inviting. Council will be considering the inclusion of public artwork into the design where possible.

Accessibility

Accessibility throughout the foreshore is paramount to connect people to the bay. Upgrades to the bay trail as well as secondary path connections are proposed to provide access to and from key destinations throughout the foreshore.

Key documents

Rye Township Plan Documents

The Rye Township Plan has been developed closely with the Rye community, Rye Beach Business Association, Rye Community Alliance and Rye Community Groups and Clubs.

Following further community consultation last year, the foreshore landscape strategy and concept plan was updated and presented to Council to endorse prior to commencing detailed design. Council endorsed the plan subject to amendments which have since been made.

The below Rye Foreshore Concept Design has inspired and informed the finalisation of the Detailed Design for works. 
The 3D Render provides an image demonstrating the completed works for the Rye Foreshore Park & Promenade area. 

Rye Township Plan: Future Stages

A further stage of the Rye Township Plan aims to reconfigure Point Nepean Rd to extend the public domain footpath area, provide opportunities for streetscaping and improved traffic management including improvements to pedestrian and cyclist safety to address the high number of crashes occurring.

Over the previous 10 years there has been overall 38 casualty crashes through the commercial centre that include 10 pedestrians and 8 cyclists being injured along Point Nepean Rd.

Concept plans are currently being developed for the Department of Transport (DoT) review.

Early draft concept plans are attached below and will be updated following the DoT review.

Community consultation will be undertaken once the draft concept plans are finalised and the DoT review has been completed.

At its meeting of 15 July 2024, Council noted the progress report relating to the Rye Township Structure Plan:

Download: Draft Functional Layout Plans - Point Nepean Road, Rye(PDF, 8MB)
Download: Existing view - Point Nepean Road, Rye(PDF, 9MB)
Download: Draft Proposed View near Hunt Avenue, Point Nepean Road, Rye(PDF, 15MB)
Download: Draft Proposed View near Lyons Street, Point Nepean Road, Rye(PDF, 11MB)

Last updated: April 2025

Napier Street Plaza

Napier Street Plaza will be expanded and transformed into a vibrant public space, creating the space as the main ‘heart’ of the township.

Foreshore Promenade

The Foreshore Promenade will provide a sense of arrival as the main ‘gateway’ to the foreshore. The Promenade links with the northern end of Napier Street and creates a strong central ‘axis’ to the pier.

More information here. 

Foreshore Camping Reconfiguration

A reconfiguration of the Rye Western Camping area is to be undertaken to provide a higher standard of foreshore camping in the newly upgraded area.

More information here.

Foreshore Park

The eastern car park next to the pier will be replaced with public open space. The park is currently fragmented by infrastructure, so a continuous area of public open space which is directly accessible to pedestrians from the township will be a great benefit to the community and all who visit Rye.

More information here.

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