A unique vision that maximises the enormous potential of the Yarrawonga foreshore has been launched by Moira Shire Council this week.
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The bold vision which aims to transform the foreshore and the northern end of Belmore Street into a tourism mecca will be officially unveiled today (Wednesday, September 25).
Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica said almost two years ago the Yarrawonga community told council (via a plebiscite) they wanted the new Yarrawonga-Mulwala replacement bridge to be located alongside the existing weir bridge known as the green route.
“Today we are taking the community’s direction a stage further and launching concept designs that show what could be achieved – in addition to the new bridge,” Cr Mustica said.
“With this bold transformation we can replace the confusing and dangerous intersection at the lake end of Belmore Street with a safe and accessible destination that showcases everything Yarrawonga has to offer.”
Cr Mustica said Yarrawonga is the fastest growing town in the shire and its tourism potential is “huge”.
“This town could be 30,000 to 40,000 people in 20 to 30 years. This is a great opportunity and it’s important we think ahead.
“We want it to draw visitors from the Murray Valley Highway along Belmore Street,” Cr Mustica said.
“From the lake side, casual boat ‘parking’ and water taxis will provide a genuine year-round on water experience.
“From fishing, cycling and golf to shopping, splash parks and playgrounds; from dining, kayaking and paddle boarding to connecting with local wild and water life, we have it all.
“These concepts show new and exciting ways to enjoy all that we have on our doorstep.
“We have launched these concepts today because we want to show the community some of the ideas we are putting before federal and state governments and various agencies including Regional Roads Victoria as we continue to advocate for the green route.”
The concepts capture four key ideas that will:
Link: the current disjointed green spaces along the foreshore into a magnificent public space that can host markets and events and still provide beautiful spaces for picnics and casual gatherings and activities.
Extend: Yarrawonga onto the lake with a venue that may include a visitor centre and cafe dining that can be accessed from land and water.
Connect: Yarrawonga, Mulwala and the many points of interest around the lake with a network of water taxis and walking/cycling paths
Celebrate: the existing bridge’s history with sections incorporated into the foreshore designs and through interpretive signs and exhibitions.
Moira Shire CEO Mark Henderson said the artist’s impressions already developed for the foreshore were purely conceptual at this stage and assumed a replacement bridge would be built on the green route. Further designs, funding along with negotiations with authorities such as Goulburn Murray Water and the Victorian Roads Authority would also need to be undertaken.
Mr Henderson also agreed more parking space would need to be developed around the foreshore area and agreed the old primary school site would be one of the options should council acquire it.
“The main objective here is to show how we could better use this prime area rather than putting a highway of cars and trucks through it,” Mr Henderson said.
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