Sophie Conlon
Umpherston Sinkhole/ Balumbul is top of the list as the City of Mount Gambier moves to create master plans for four iconic precincts in the city.
The decision was made at April’s council meeting off the back of a recommendation within council’s Sport, Recreation and Open Space Strategy (SROSS), which called for master plans to be created for key sites.
The master plans would be created in conjunction with stakeholders to provide the best infrastructure and facilities ensuring they were fit for purpose and meet the needs of the evolving community.
There was some discussion around the determining the priority order of the sites set for planning, with the finalised order as follows:
– Umpherston Sinkhole / Balumbul
– Vansittart Park
– Olympic Park
– Hastings Cunningham Reserve
Councillor Frank Morello said as a premier tourist destination the sinkhole should be top of the master planning list.
“Thousands of tourist flock to Mount Gambier to go there,” he said.
“It’s dated and in disrepair I would say for a premier tourist destination a master plan is important for that precinct.”
He said creating a master plan would define ideas and boost tourism.
The master planning process for Umpherston Sinkhole/ Balumbul will begin this financial year, while the rest will be considered during the budget.
