The Suburban Beaches sector includes Bar Beach, Dixon Beach and Merewether Beach. These are well used by local residents and visitors for day to day recreation. Each beach has its own distinct character resulting from topography, road network, aspect and surrounding built form.

The Sector extends between Cooks Hill to the north and Glenrock State Conversation Area to the south. A small headland with residential development separates Bar Beach from Dixon Park Beach and Merewether, however from Cooks Hill a visual link is present. Establishing gateways is important for defining the character of the area, providing a heightened sense of place for residents and visitors.

Suburban beaches precincts

• Bar Beach and Empire Park
• Dixon Park
• Merewether Beach

Key themes

• suburban beach experiences
• transition from tourist/visitor, or city, beaches to beaches used by local residents 
• families and all ages coastal activities and use.

Sector objectives

• enhance connectivity along the coastline
• improve the type, quantity and quality of public domain elements
• ensure the passive and active recreation opportunities are located to minimise conflict and to enhance safety
• ensure prime coastal positions are best utilised by rationalising car parking (with no net loss at each precinct) to accommodate other uses such as open space
• permit new built form on under-utilised land to assist with casual surveillance and to support existing facilities

Sector strategies

• enhance and develop the Bathers Way coastline route and other means of accommodating pedestrians and cyclists
• improve and enhance green space adjacent to beaches with vegetation, shade, seating and pathways
• relocate car parking to retain accessibility, while allowing sites with a significant relationship to the coast to be reinstated as public open space
• establish new facilities in strategic locations to serve visitors and support existing facilities and activities