GRANT District Council has released its design blueprint for stage one of the $1.2m “Waterfront” project at Port MacDonnell.
The project will revitalise the foreshore of the popular seaside town with key features including a jetty plaza precinct, information shelter and boardwalks.
New carparking, street furniture, public art and infrastructure are also part of the design plans.
Council has foreshadowed minor works would get under in February with major construction works to start in late March.
The major project is being funded by the State Government and council’s own coffers.
Grant District Mayor Richard Sage said The Waterfront was a milestone project for the Port MacDonnell community.
“Residents can now get the chance to see the final designs, which is the result of extensive consultation with the design team at Oxigen,” Mr Sage said.
“I think the community will be pleased with the outcome, which has stayed true to the master plan concepts the community had hoped for in their consultation with council in 2014.”
Mr Sage said the Port MacDonnell foreshore was one of the region’s key attractions and this upgrade allowed residents and visitors to enjoy it even more.
“From a tourism perspective we now have an opportunity to make this area a gateway to the remainder of the Limestone Coast and the western Victorian region,” he said.
At council full meeting this week, it was revealed a number of contractors would be invited to submit a tender for the major works.
Evaluation of tenders will be undertaken with accordance to council’s policies and a recommendation is like to be tabled for elected members in February.
At the meeting, Mr Sage said he believed it was important this work flowed to regional building sector.
Meanwhile, “The Waterfront” will also feature a bronze statue of fisher after a decision by council this week.
Consultation included community voting on a piece of public art, which will add to the character and aesthetic appeal of the precinct.
The winning piece with 71pc of the vote was a bronze bespoke sculpture by Sydney artists Gillie and Marc, which will be inspired by the local fishing heritage of Port MacDonnell.
The sculpture will be a 165cm statue – with a lobster and lobster pot – and will be located in the jetty plaza precinct.
The other two short-listed designs included a breaching blue fin tuna and a family of seals.
Other notable features of the development include character planting and landscaping to suit the environment, a beach access deck from the jetty, kerbline aligned plaza entry and better connectivity between all elements such as the jetty, carpark and pathway.
Council also resolved in early October apply for stage two funding under the State Government’s Open Spaces funding program.
An outcome of this application is yet to be announced.
People are encouraged to visit the website www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au and the Port MacDonnell Community Complex for further details of the project.
