WORK has started for the Wattle Range Council’s ambitious $2.1m master plan, which is set to transform the Millicent Parklands and Civic Precinct (Domain).
The master plan, which was unveiled by council earlier this year, includes a $700,000 open area amphitheatre at the rear of the Millicent Civic and Arts Centre.
Council’s master plan provides a long-term framework for the Domain area, including $150,000 for a potential nature play area for older youths at the tennis court area, $300,000 for upgrades to the existing Adventure Playground and $150,000 for upgrades to Jubilee Park.
Upgrades to the front of the civic and arts centre, increased lighting and security and an estimated $150,000 for public artworks are also outlined as potential development.
Additionally, the master plan outlines potential expenditure of $350,000 for paths and $40,000 for maintenance and “low landscaping” at Memorial Park and the Cenotaph.
Wattle Range Council engineering services director Peter Halton provided councillors with an update of the master plan at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
A staff report noted that council had ordered a four-metre high half pipe known as an “Adrenaline Sky Carver” to be installed in the Adventure playground area.
Mr Halton said council had also worked towards installing a toilet block outside the Domain Playground area by the barbecue shelter, as well as an outdoor hand basin.
“In terms of other elements we are working on, we have started work on realigning the paths down towards the Williams Road end so we can have a separation,” he said.
“We decided to proceed with that work even though it was in the second year of the project.
“We had to set the template of the groundwork now and it complimented with the lighting works we are proceeding with at the moment.
“We are also working on that plan for the nature play.
“The area I would really like to start working withm particularly with councillors (Moira) Neagle and (Glenn) Brown, will start to get some traction of art in the park and to get that moving before the end of the financial year so we can corporate sculptures or murals.”
Council’s application for the Building Better Regions Fund incorporates the nature play area, as well as the tennis court upgrade which is foreshadowed for the project’s second year.
It is anticipated nine pieces of exercise equipment will be installed as stations within the Millicent precinct.
