Sophie Conlon
Two much needed infrastructure upgrades in Mount Gambier/ Berrin have been endorsed by the City of Mount Gambier and now await federal government approval.
At the October 17 council meeting elected members voted to use funding from Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program phase four for upgrades at Frew Park and road reconstruction of Boandik Terrace.
The federal government LRCI funding was announced in February this year and saw council receive $486,995, and then in May it was announced council would share in a further $250 million purely allocated for road projects.
With a total funding allocation of $767,904, council acting general manager city infrastructure Karl Manarangi said both projects were expected to be completed by June 2025.
“What we’ve got to do, the council need to endorse it, and then we need to send it back to the funding agency,” he said.
“Once they approve it we can start on the design works and then the construction will carry on until the following financial year.”
Work at Frew Park will total $486,995 and Mr Manarangi this funding would go towards the demolition and reconstruction of the amenities block as well as other upgrades at the site.
“The public toilets at Frew Park have reached the end of their useful life, so they will be demolished and a new facility will be built,” he said.
“We will seal the existing access road into the park as it gets very muddy and soggy after a lot of rain. The stormwater drainage system will also be assessed and rectified, and the picket fencing and seating will be replaced where necessary.”
A $50,000 design process for an amenities block would be undertaken this financial year and remaining $436,995 would be used upgrades expected to be complete by June 2025.
With Frew Park listed as a local heritage place Mr Manarangi said external consultation would be sought for the design.
Reconstruction of Boandik Terrace is expected to cost $280,909 and will see the section between Crouch Street and Warren Street receive improvements.
Mr Manarangi said the funding had allowed the project to be fast tracked.
“This road was earmarked on council’s asset management forward works program and we’re now able to address it a couple of years earlier than anticipated which is a great outcome,” he said.
Mayor Lynette Martin said both projects would be fully funded through the LRCI grant.
