GRANT District Council has labelled the $1m-plus Waterfront development at Port MacDonnell a “great success” despite mixed feedback on the project.
Transforming the foreshore at Port MacDonnell, stage one of the project was officially opened in November.
Council is now seeking funding for stage two of the project under the latest round of the Places for People funding scheme.
Key features of stage one included a new boardwalk, refurbished toilet block, landscaping, information shelter and signage, drinking fountain, public art and a jetty plaza precinct.
Council has encouraged feedback on the proposal with posts reaching more than 9000 people on social media platforms.
While the feedback has been mostly positive, a number of concerns have been raised by residents.
These include the lack of shaded seating, water pressure in the water foundation, the lack of beach access adjacent the jetty and the fact there were no Christmas lights working in the Norfolk Pine trees over the Christmas period.
Speaking at this week’s council meeting, council chief executive officer David Singe said the project had been a “great success”.
While the community had welcomed the project, he said council had received feedback on particular elements of the project.
Undoubtedly, he said the stand-out feature of the project was the bronze statue.
“It has now become the most photographed item around the place,” Mr Singe said.
“When you go down there, there is someone inevitably taking a photograph of it with the kids next to it.”
But he said people had questioned whether the rock lobster featured was actually “an American lobster”.
“We have had some really, really interesting feedback, but the bottom line it has been really well received,” Mr Singe said.
Regarding the statue, Cr Bruce Bain suggested council should place a plaque near the statue to give visitors a snapshot of the local rock lobster industry.
Stage two of the development will include and entrance upgrade to Standish Street, a redeveloped playground, fitness equipment/stations as well as general landscaping.
At the meeting, questions were also raised why there was no soap provided at in the refurbished toilet block.
Works manager Adrian Schutz told the meeting council provided no hand-washing soap at any of the public toilets in the council district given the considerable cost.
But he said providing hand soap at Port MacDonnell toilet block was under consideration.
Cr Julie Reis – who is a health academic – said effective hand-washing was key to reducing the spread of infections in the community.
In a move to activate the areas, council has provided a Magical Park on the foreshore for 12 months.
