A $1 million upgrade to the Riverside Community Activity Centre and Reserve in South Morang will make the facilities more comfortable, functional and accessible for residents.
City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd joined Member for Mill Park the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP on 27 March to tour the sites.
The project, which is funded by a $500,000 contribution from Council and $500,000 from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, is split into two stages.
The first stage is the refurbishment of the Community Activity Centre to ensure it meets the needs of current and future users.
Some of the improvements include the renovation of the consulting and lunch spaces to create an additional meeting room for people, groups and organisations to use.
The foyer area will be expanded and a kitchenette installed, while the acoustics in the community hall will be upgraded to assist those with hearing difficulties.
Work will be done to improve access to the centre’s external accessible toilet, as well as upgrades to the centre’s cladding and heating, ventilation and cooling systems.
Council will also continue its shift away from gas appliances as we work towards our goal of becoming a net zero emission municipality, by installing electric cooktops, ovens and hot water systems throughout the building.
The second stage of the project – the upgrade to Riverside Reserve – is expected to start in April and continue until the end of June 2024.
The reserve’s social gathering place will get a makeover with the installation of a new barbecue, public furniture, drinking fountain and bike racks.
There will also be improvements to the timber access ramp to the playgrounds and refurbishment of the site’s large shelters.
Other works to be done include replacing the aged asphalt path with a concrete one, installing new precinct maps and signage, and landscaping and vegetation works.
City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the investment in the centre and reserve underlined Council’s commitment to providing quality community facilities at the local level.
“Community activity centres play an incredibly important role in providing critical services to our diverse community,” she said.
“It is wonderful to see this level of investment, by both Council and the Victorian Government, to ensure the Riverside CAC meets the needs of its users.
“Likewise, our reserves are crucial in promoting healthy and active lifestyles among residents of all ages and abilities.
“These improvements here at Riverside Reserve will help to encourage more people to get out and about in their local neighbourhood and take advantage of everything this space has to offer.”
