Riverfront Activation planning underway
The Community Reference Group that will steer the implementation of Horsham’s riverfront activation project met for the first time on Tuesday.
Three community members, eight people from Horsham organisations and four Council officers make up the group which was established following Horsham Rural City Council’s adoption of the City to River Masterplan last November.
Last year’s engagement period attracted 740 public submissions, and the Masterplan was amended to reflect the feedback. It was also divided into sub-precincts, with the Riverfront Activation chosen as the first to have detailed plans drawn up.
It will be the Community Reference Group’s job to enable the project to evolve and take a step closer to being delivered by helping turn ideas into detailed plans. The group will elect a chairperson at its second meeting on Thursday.
Director Community Wellbeing Kevin O’Brien said the Masterplan as a whole inspired much community debate and activating the riverfront stood out as the precinct which garnered the most public support.
He said more than 550 specific comments on how the riverfront area should be developed have been extracted from the Masterplan submissions and used as a key starting point for the reference group’s discussions and will inform options going forward.
“The riverfront is one of Horsham’s greatest natural assets, and this project will aim to enhance this area and make it more accessible, more useable, more inviting and safer for everyone,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Specifically, we received many comments that supported ideas such as boardwalks, landscaping, water play areas, playgrounds, seating, shade and improved access to the water, and these options will be explored and worked through with the CRG and the broader public and user groups.
Mr O’Brien reiterated that Council had sought funding from both the State and Federal Governments to contribute to the project.
“We currently have an opportunity to reimagine how this valuable and important public space can work even better for our community,” he said.
“Horsham has benefitted greatly from strong decisions made in the past to improve community facilities, including Horsham Aquatic Centre, Horsham Town Hall and the Kalkee Road Children’s and Community Hub.
“Change can be challenging, but without it, we miss opportunities to improve the services, standards and activities that residents and visitors expect and deserve,” Mr O’Brien said.
COMMUNITY REFERENCE GROUP MEMBERS
Community representatives:
- Bob Redden
- Andrew Sostheim
- Phil Lohrey
Organisation representatives:
- John Gorton, Aboriginal Advisory Committee
- Michael Stewart, Barengi Gadjin Land Council
- Steve Parish, Angling Club
- Sue Jones/Glenn Coffey, Horsham Caravan Park
- Ray White, Rowing Club
- Di Bell, Horsham Rural Ratepayers & Residents
- Zach Currie, Youth Council
- Gary Aitken, Wimmera River Improvement Committee
Council representatives:
- Kevin O’Brien, Director Community Wellbeing
- Carolyn Hamdorf, Manager Arts, Culture & Recreation
- Sue Newall, City to River -Riverfront Precinct- Project Manager
- Mandy Kirsopp – Coordinator Recreation & Open Space
