By Raquel Mustillo
THE ageing public toilets at the Valley Lakes precinct is likely to undergo a $490,000 upgrade to improve safety for children and increase accessibility for people with disabilities and impairment.
Mount Gambier City Councillors supported a recommendation to allocate the funding – received as part of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – to the program at this week’s council meeting.
Councillors also endorsed allocating $460,000 of the $1m received from the Federal Government towards the refurbishment of the existing public amenities adjoining the State Heritage Railway Station building, which are currently closed due to non-compliance.
A staff report said both structures were key assets located in popular community recreational reserves and require upgrading for both compliance and to ensure community members and visitors have well-constructed and accessible public amenities.
If the projects are approved by the Federal Government, the remaining funds will be spent on landscaping improvements at the Cave Garden and Umpherston Sinkhole Community Recreational Reserves ($50,000), while $40,000 has been earmarked for Umpherston Sinkhole Path Lighting.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said Mount Gambier City Council has received a total of $2.5m across the three phases of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program for shovel ready projects to maintain jobs and drive economic growth.
He said similar funding had been provided to every council, with councils required to allocate the money in accordance with community priorities.
“I am pleased that this Federal Government funding will support projects, like the new Valley Lakes public amenities and refurbishment of the existing public amenities adjoining the State Heritage Railway Station building,” Mr Pasin said.
“I am pleased to be partnering with the City of Mount Gambier to ensure projects like these are delivered for the benefit of our community while simultaneously supporting and creating jobs in our local community.”
