A RIVERLAND council is set to undertake a $300,000 revamp of a local park, after elected members voted to endorse the project recently.
At its most recent monthly meeting, Berri Barmera Council passed a motion to undertake an upgrade of Colin Jennings Apex Park in Berri, fully funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
The decision followed a public consultation period, with council receiving 66 responses – 68 per cent of which were in favour of the project.
The revamp will include the construction of a new pump track for bikes, scooters and skateboards, the installation of a solar barbecue shelter, and several pieces of new playground equipment.
CEO Karyn Burton said council had to “bite the bullet on it and get started” on the project.
“We’ve got a timeline on that funding so we need to get moving on it and get it done,” she said.
“We haven’t spent money on Colin Jennings Apex Park in a long while other than the dog park, but we do need to replace the BMX track and do a few other things around the park.”
In a report to council, infrastructure project and technical officer Kim Seekamp said the intention behind the project was to “complement and expand on the existing features to deliver a shared open space where people can connect, socialise and be active”.
“The project is not aimed to deliver a playspace-equivalent playground, rather to upgrade the park,” she said.
“If a playspace-level playground project is to be delivered within the Berri township then a review of potential sites should be investigated prior to the delivery of this project to ensure that maximum benefit is provided to the community.”
Ms Burton said a second stage of upgrades to the park may be considered in the future for State and Federal Government grant applications.
“We’ll see how this pans out, and the intention is then if there is more nature play and things like that required we will expand on it more in the future,” she said.
In her report, Ms Seekamp suggested council explore a “shovel-ready stage two upgrade” to incorporate further nature-based play opportunities and more play equipment.
“Undertaking this planning would allow for the project to be put on hold until funding can be secured,” she said.