A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT funding package of $250,000 has been announced for a new adventure playground and car park in Bangalow.
The new playground will be located off Deacon Street and the new car park at the eastern end.
Byron Shire Council Mayor Simon Richardson said a new multi age playground will be the finishing touch to all the hard work undertaken at the site by community group Bangalow Parklands and Council.
“The Bangalow Weir and park is an area that has gone from a tired space to a well-loved place for Bangalow families to gather for play dates and celebrations.
“It’s been a privilege to work with the community along the journey from the dark days of imminent deconstruction of the weir and council walking away, to these bright days of an active, all ages space of beauty and enjoyment-it is a testament to what can happen when community groups and council work together.
“And the new car park will see a bitumen cap over the old dip site that has been the long outstanding issue within the town.
“The next stage will see us chatting with Bangalow residents on their new playground. So kids, we need those pencils out and your ideas on what you’d like to have at your new playground,” he encouraged.
“For many years, the Bangalow Parklands group has been working closely with Byron Council and other community groups, to upgrade and improve the facilities in our much loved and well-used Deacon Street park,” said Parklands spokesperson, Christobel Munson.
Located next to the Bangalow Historical Society’s museum and café, this is a location in constant use by the entire community.
“In recent years, we’ve managed to find the funding and skills to repair the disintegrating weir and build a new fish ladder (together with informative signs), to build a fabulous bandstand building (called The Waterfront), to install two ceremonial rock circles, to fund the painting of a colourful mural of the evolution of Bangalow around the amenities block, and – with other help from the Bangalow Chamber of Commerce – to construct new tables and benches throughout the park. Working with the Bangalow Land and Rivercare group, thousands of native trees have been planted along Byron Creek, as well as undertaking the design and planting out of the wetlands.
“With this latest news, we’re so delighted that our Council-community collaboration can continue with the planning and construction of an adventure playground for older kids.
“We’ve also been planning a new shelter shed designed in a style reflecting a settlers’ cottage, where parents can enjoy a barbecue while keeping an eye on the kids playing in the adventure playground.
“With the pressure on parking in busy Bangalow a widely-discussed concern, to be able to seal the long abandoned dip site and create useful parking there, is certainly going to be a win-win situation,” she added.
The new Bangalow infrastructure projects are being funding by the Australian Government under the Community Development Grants Programme ($250,000) and a $164,000 contribution from Byron Shire Council.