Caroline Hammat
AFTER many years of discussion between Beachport Rivoli Bay Lions Club (BLC) and Wattle Range Council (WRC), the newly restored Wendy’s Walk at Beachport was officially opened last week.
Originally built in 1982 from limestone blocks, the steps were replaced sometime later with treated timber risers and earth landings by the BLC.
Up to 10 years ago, BLC discussed restoring the steps again and eventually approached WRC about funding for the development.
The project was identified for WRC funding but a review of the scope and complexity of the slope saw the BLC propose council deliver the project and allow BLC to focus on other projects.
Original costs to deliver the project were estimated at $165,000 with project variations arising during the construction causing an increase in the total.
Final cost of the structure was just over $185,000, including the need for a small retaining wall between Scenic Drive and the new structure.
Mayor Des Noll officially opened the new structure and acknowledged the work of the BLC and welcomed Wendy Stingers and her brother Phillip Johnson to the event.
“Wendy has been asked to attend as the walk was named after her,” he said.
“Wendy was previously the manager of Southern Ocean Tourist Park and was instrumental in the development of the original path.
“Wendy told me the walk was very popular with holidaymakers and she and her family regularly took her dog for a walk along it.
“Her husband Lionel was instrumental in many tourist initiatives in the South East and Wendy said he would have been very chuffed that the walk had been rebuilt.
“It is a big investment but a worthy investment in the community, this is a major upgrade of a wonderful tourist attraction for Beachport.”
Ms Stingers, who now lives in Victoria, had the honour of cutting the ribbon watched on by Mayor Noll and Cr Sharon Cox and Cr Richard Cassidy.
“My late husband Lionel and I managed the park from 1981 through to about 1990,” she said.
“Lionel initiated getting a walk made, it was part of a government scheme he oversaw where they employed people out of work.
“We used to walk our great dane a lot and I used to do Wendy’s Walk often.”
Construction by Hamlyn Wilson took six weeks to complete and the new walk offers two landings, a safe exit point onto Scenic Drive and stunning views across the township.
The walk is on the Southern edge of the SOTP and runs between Fosters Street and Scenic Drive.
