Lonsdale Reserve Mulwala’s Master Plan project was one of the six main projects for completion at the Reserve and is now on public exhibition for four weeks from today.
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“The plan is the culmination of an exciting package of works delivered at the reserve over the last three years, and a great example of Federation Council’s collaboration with the user groups, and the Section 355 Committee at the reserve, to deliver positive outcomes for the user groups, nearby neighbours, and the wider community,” council’s director engineering services Steve Carmichael said.
“Projects were required to be continued to be delivered in parallel to the finalization of this new master plan to meet funding/grant requirements, and community expectations, given there had been some major delays in the initial stages including from the merger of the Corowa and Urana Shire Councils in May 2016.”
Lonsdale Reserve Committee President Rod Sissons is pleased with progress. “Things are happening very nicely,” he told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“Darren Harvey (Federation Council’s Parks and Gardens department) is doing a wonderful job. I encourage everyone interested in the draft master plan to read it and have a say.”
Projects already delivered are consistent with this draft master plan. There remains a list of desired future projects that require the vital and formal finalisation of this plan, to seek further funding including grants.
Council has been asked for speed humps to be installed, and to continue the sealed road to the football club rooms when budget permits.
Staff are still landscaping the playground area. Recreation zones, and the major landscaping, irrigation and earthworks are completed, and will improve with Spring approaching for health and growth of the turf and trees that have been planted.
Storm-water and drainage works have been completed and worked well in large rain events to date.
Mr Carmichael said the sealed road and line marking have enhanced the area. “ ‘Bay 13’ upgrade looks neat and fits into the surrounding area and will become another option for a community meeting space also,” he said.
“A security gate that connects Bay 13 to the oval has been installed, with a lock for the user group on one end, for emergency entry (Ambulance), and a council lock for staff entry.
“The removal of dead and unsafe vegetation made an impact initially and created some concerns from the community.”
In the last 12 months council staff have planted 35 trees which are species that are in line with the master plan. The existing mature trees at Lonsdale Reserve will receive a risk/health assessment and staff will combine this with a plan for all new and mature plantings.
A large investment at Lonsdale Recreation Reserve has certainly improved the look and feel of the reserve, and the new playground has families now at Lonsdale seven days a week.
The work to finalise this draft plan involved extensive stakeholder consultation, including with all sporting/user groups and Mulwala Progress Association representatives, and other members of the general public with an interest in the reserve including nearby neighbours.
The initial works were triggered in the later phases of the former Corowa Shire days, in response to a Council funding allocation. The process was further progressed with the formation of Federation Council, with the budget being substantially supplemented by various State Government grants including some merger grant funds.
The master plan will be updated during its life to reflect the committee’s vision, the user groups and the wider community, and Federation Council, and reviewed annually to update where projects have been delivered.
“Council has allocated approximately $900,000 in grants and council funds over the past three years to deliver the works that have been finalised,” Mr Carmichael said.
“The new projects in the plan identified as future priorities all have cost range (low to high) estimates. The total of these projects is $470,000 for the lower end and around $900,000 for the higher end. Future grants would be the likely funding source for any of these projects.”
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