HUNDREDS of people turned out to enjoy the official opening of the newly refurbished Jack Evans Boat Harbour yesterday.

The harbour has been restored to the family-friendly park many remembered it to be decades ago when it was first made safe for swimmers by local identity and champion lifesaver Jack Evans.

The design of the project was subject to a long and extensive consultation phase over a number of years, as Tweed Shire Council engineering and operations director Patrick Knight explained.

“It’s taken 24 years since the close of the old caravan park, but finally the harbour is here,” Mr Knight said.

“In 2006 we adopted a concept plan and five years later we have the final plan – a harbour foreshore that invites people to use the sea and a wonderful place to be.”

The Federal Government contributed $1.8 million to the project as part of the Jobs Fund announced to support and create jobs through building community infrastructure.

Federal Member Justine Elliot said the harbour facelift was a practical approach to workforce participation.

“We are providing funding to get jobs out there right across the country,” Ms Elliot said.

“It’s a great result for local families, a great result for tourism and our local economy, and something we can be rightly proud of.

“It’s great to be here with so many people from the community.”

Tweed Mayor Kevin Skinner said the harbour revitalisation project had created a vibrant recreational and tourism centrepiece for Tweed Heads.

“The feedback we’ve received from people using the parklands has been fantastic,” Cr Skinner said.