A NEW neighbourhood pump track has been proposed for Melaleuca Reserve following extensive community consultation with residents in the area.
The project will be designed by Velosolutions with the potential for construction to start on the corner of Newton Crescent and Pressey Street within months.
Costing $60,000 – from a budget line of money allocated for that area – the project will include a 91 metre family-friendly, entry level track that will be asphalt sealed and suitable for all-weather use.
Mount Gambier City Council community development and engagement officer Ben Kilsby said the project was identified after more than five years of community engagement within the area.
“It was probably first mooted around five years ago when we held a community day at the reserve and different residents from the neighbourhood expressed their desires for the space,” he said.
“This project has been on the radar and is in line with our commitment to the ongoing improvement of those spaces.”
Council infrastructure general manager Nick Serle said the new track would replace the existing dirt BMX track that has been selfmanaged by nearby residents for over a decade.
“For many years the site has hosted a basic dirt track that has been informally maintained by park users,” he said.
“Ongoing consultation with park users and the surrounding neighbourhood has highlighted strong aspirations for the track to be enhanced, with a particular interest in improving safety, usability and the visual appeal of the current facility.”
Velosolutions were identified as the organisation to take on the project following successful completion of the Hastings Cunningham Reserve Pump Track.
“Following the tender process, Velosolutions was awarded the contract and as we have seen at Hastings Cunningham Reserve they are global leaders in pump track developments,” Mr Serle said.
“While the project considers and complements the larger pump track facility located at Hastings Cunningham Reserve, this new track will be smaller which will create a fantastic entry level facility within the context of a neighbourhood reserve, primarily servicing the interests of the surrounding community.”
Council is currently engaging with residents surrounding the site to enable those impacted to provide feedback on the proposed design and positioning within the reserve before a development application is lodged.
Mr Kilsby said the feedback received up until this point had been positive.
“I think people are genuinely excited about the project and how it will increase the visual appeal of the neighbourhood,” he said.
“They are going to have something really high quality, which will compliment the other track – it will be something that we can all be proud of.”
Subject to approval, the project is expected to be completed in December 2020.
