CONVERTING the former Wattle Range Council chambers into a heritage fashion museum, an athletics track circuit and a heated swimming pool have been floated as potential drawcards for Millicent at a recent community meeting.
At the August community meeting, members of the public discussed potential inclusions for the new Millicent Community Town Plan with a number of proposals focusing on development of the town’s assets and events.
The creation of an athletics circuit, disability access to the swimming lake and a bike path linking to Lake McIntyre were suggested by attendees.
Community members focused on younger people and seniors and said increased education opportunities were essential to retain younger people in the town.
With an increasing number of seniors living in Millicent, community members also suggested more health and social activities for this demographic be factored into the plan.
Wattle Range Council and the Millicent Business Community Association are planning a committee meeting for the new town plan by the end of the year.
Association chair Lee Morgan labelled the ideas floated at the August community meeting as “exciting”, with a number of proposals focusing on the development of Millicent’s assets and events.
Attendees also discussed how to best market Millicent through an icon, such as Kingston’s Larry the Lobster and the Robe obelisk.
Increased signage was another issue raised and participants flagged more directions to the Millicent National Trust Living History Museum and accommodation services.
Revitalising the town through murals, more greenery, lights, sculptures and statement pieces, such as a kinetic sculpture, was suggested with the Domain being a key site for renovation.
Mr Morgan said once the committee had consolidated the best ideas into a document, another community meeting would be held to provide information to the public.
The previous Millicent Community Town Plan was created in 2016.
At the earlier community consultation meeting, council development services director Steve Chapple said the new committee was going to “pull the old plan apart”.
“Those in attendance came from a wide range of groups including the Millicent Business Community Association and elected members,” Mr Chapple said.
“On the night smaller groups worked on suggestions for inclusion in, or update to, the existing plan and a small group of dedicated locals put their names forward to work on a revised document to bring back to council.
“The town plans provide a platform for council to consider items and projects in the annual budget planning processes and for council staff to consider others items for referral to a range of agencies or support organisations.
“We are looking forward to receiving back a revised plan from the Millicent community.”
