Lake Endeavour is set to be transformed into the first developed natural water location for recreational use in the Shire thanks to $ 1 million in funding from the NSW Government.
Council’s Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM, said the exciting developments will enable locals and visitors alike to enjoy the fantastic natural beauty of Lake Endeavour.
“The Parkes Shire has little in the way of natural outdoor spaces that can be used for water-based recreation, and as a result, residents often travel elsewhere throughout the year,” Cr Keith said.
“Through the NSW Government’s Places to Swim program, we will deliver safety upgrades as well as the installation of new recreational infrastructure to encourage people to get active in, on and around Lake Endeavour – from swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding, to fishing, walking and relaxing by the water.
“Activating Lake Endeavour for recreational use has been a long-held desire of many in our community, and we’re delighted to be bringing this vision to life through the funding we’ve received from the NSW Government.
“The funding will allow us to deliver some crucial ‘invisible infrastructure’, which will be critical in enabling swift response times due to the remote nature of the site.”
Parkes Shire Council is currently reviewing the infrastructure improvements to prevent unsafe movement near the dam overflow and provide easy access to the water.
Cr Bill Jayet said that sustainability and inclusion are at the heart of the project. All proposed project elements and future activation elements are to be universally designed, with ease of access at the forefront of considerations.
“We’ve given careful consideration to the environmental impact of all project elements throughout the entire planning process, with all development aspects planned to avoid vegetation clearance and preserve the existing habitat,” he said.
“Natural features such as mature habitat trees have been incorporated into the design to provide shade and aesthetic appeal.”
The Lake Endeavour activation will add to Parkes Shire’s ecotourism offerings and further planning to develop ecotourism in our shire. All these combined elements will create an inviting space where everyone can relax and connect.
The project design is being finalised, with works on this project expected to be completed in mid-2024.
