WAIKERIE’S river front has been officially named following community input and elected member discussion – and signage will credit all community groups that have created spaces across the site over the years.
The District Council of Loxton Waikerie (DCLW) elected members unanimously voted to officially name the Waikerie river-front, “Waikerie Riverfront” at their January meeting, following recommendations from the Community Award Assessment Panel (CAAP).
The panel received 16 nominations in total, with the majority stating they would like to see the river front space between Leonard Norman Drive and Edgar Bartlett Drive named “Waikerie Riverfront”.
A petition from Waikerie community members of 34 eligible signatures was also received, stating the signatories wanted the name “Lions Riverfront Park” for the area.
DCLW CEO David Beaton said the “many community groups” that have created spaces across the whole river front over the years will be acknowledged.
“(Council) will have two sets of signs made up: one with the river front naming, and the other to be a map of sorts,” he said.
“The map will show each area that belongs to the river front – the Lions Park, the Water and Nature Play Park, the football oval, the fauna park – and acknowledge the community groups that put their time and energy into making each place a reality.
“We want to pay tribute to those many fantastic community members and volunteers.
“The signs will be installed at the Edgar Bartlett Drive and Leonard Norman Drive entrances to the river front.”
A portion of the area was for 45 years unofficially dubbed the “Waikerie Lions Riverfront Park”, and Mr Beaton said while this area is included in the now “Waikerie Riverfront” site, the map signage will denote acknowledgement to the local volunteer group and its work.
“With so many community groups and volunteers having contributed to the entire river front – from Leonard Norman Drive down to Edgar Bartlett Drive – council did not believe that naming the entire area after one group would be right,” he said.
“The Lions Club of Waikerie have certainly put in a lot of effort and energy to the area – the children’s playground, the shelters – but there are also many other groups that have donated time, money and great enthusiasm to creating spaces across the whole site.
“The Fauna Park committee, the Edwards Group, the Rotary Club of Waikerie, to name a few. Elected members discussed the matter and felt that naming the entire area after just one group would not be fair.
“This does not take away any acknowledgement from any one group; rather, with the installation of the map signage, credit will be delineated to everyone.”