HUGH SCHUITEMAKER, JOSH BRINE and STEPHANIE THOMPSON
NEW grant funding is set to support local councils in upgrading a local river front, improving road safety and constructing new sporting infrastructure
The State Government announced yesterday the three Riverland councils – plus Mid Murray Council – would share in more than $4.3 million in grant funding through the Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program (LGIPP).
The initiative – with funding to be matched dollar for dollar by councils – will see Renmark Paringa Council receive $1 million, $1.5 million for the District Council of Loxton Waikerie, $361,285 for Berri Barmera Council and $1.55 million for Mid Murray Council.
Renmark Paringa Mayor Neil Martinson said the funding would be used for a $2 million reinforcement of the Renmark river front against damage caused by incoming houseboats.
“Council is very pleased to receive the grant and we thank the State Government for the initiative to provide it,” Mr Martinson said.
“The exercise of upgrading the river front will be well worth it, to help protect the wharf when houseboats come in to moor.
“It’s reinforcing the wharf to make sure there is no damage to council infrastructure.”
Berri Barmera Council will use its $361,285 funding allocation for a major upgrade of the changeroom facility and lighting at the Barmera Oval.
Council will also use funding received through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program to match the State Government grant dollar-for-dollar.
The project, expected to cost more than $700,000, will allow for the main oval to be used for night games, create a non-sealed car park that will expand parking at the oval, and expand the functionality and community use of the changeroom and toilets.
Berri Barmera Mayor Peter Hunt said the council was “very grateful” to receive funding for a “great project for the whole Barmera community”.
“It will bring so many community groups together and it will beautify the area,” he said.
“A lot of sporting clubs have been working hard, for a long time, to make this happen and it will be another great way to mark Barmera’s centenary.”
The changeroom expansion will accommodate netball, lawn bowls and football players and officials, and make the facility more female-friendly, while half of the current changerooms will be upgraded and converted into an umpire changeroom and warm-up area.
District Council of Loxton Waikerie secured $1.5 million for a community hub – also set to be the new home for the Waikerie Football Club.
The $3 million Waikerie Riverfront Community Hub will allow all residents to access activities, programs, and services such as sport and exercise sessions, committee meetings, cultural events, social gatherings, speaker events and workshops in a high-quality and modern facility.
Waikerie Football Club redevelopment committee chairperson Brendan Sidhu said the building would be an “asset” for the community.
“It is going to be a fantastic, well-utilised building,” he said.
Mr Sidhu said even in its current state, the football club rooms are utilised by the wider community, with the Waikerie High School formal taking place over the weekend.
“Just about every week, there is something there,” Mr Sidhu said.
In addition to the latest funding, Waikerie Football Club secured a $1.3 million loan through Loxton Waikerie council, bringing total funds for the project to $2.8 million.
Mr Sidhu said remaining costs will be derived from the Waikerie Football Club and other grant and funding avenues.
“We still need to go to our members and make sure they are happy for us to take that bit of extra debt on,” he said.
“Thank you to Loxton Waikerie council chief executive officer David Beaton and the whole council and also Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone.
“The next step is to get the development approval done and then we will hit the ground running.”
The cost of the project includes the demolition of the current club rooms.
Loxton Waikerie council CEO David Beaton said the project would be of “great benefit” to the town.
“It’s a real collaboration between council and the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mid Murray Council will receive $1.5 million to upgrade eight kilometres of Murraylands Road – between Blanchetown and Morgan – to enable larger freight vehicles to travel in the area.
The State Government’s LGIPP will see $106.9 million used to fund 57 shovel-ready projects throughout South Australia, and – including council and government funding – is estimated to total a stimulus of $270 to $290 million.