THE Southern Grampians Shire Council envisages Lake Hamilton foreshore as a family-friendly attraction with its new all-abilities playground.
Aiming to boost the region’s tourism profile, the Lake Hamilton all-abilities playground and foreshore redevelopment project is under way with a $1.05 million grant from the Australian Government Regional Dev-elopment Australia Fund, $160,000 from the Victorian Government’s sustainable urban development agency VicUrban, Places Victoria, and $450,000 from Southern Grampians Shire Council.
With a completion date set for February, the project will deliver an accessible playground, foreshore development including integrated art works, and new picnic and toilet facilities and will use winding pathways and graded earthworks to link zones and equipment with gradients meeting access requirements.
Shire mayor Bob Penny said the council was excited to see works begin on the all-abilities playground and Lake Hamilton foreshore redevelopment.
“Council would like to thank the federal government and Places Victoria for their assistance in funding this regional playground that will bring many benefits to the shire,” he said.
“Council looks forward to the project being completed in February next year.”
The playground will offer a range of play equipment including more than 90 experiences suitable for a diverse range of age groups and abilities.
Playground features will offer a variety of different experiences for children of all ages and abilities, such as:
. Toddlers play zone with picnic shelter for adult supervision;
. Junior play zone and a picnic shelter nearby with views to the beach and junior play areas;
. Senior play zone which incorporates adventure play equipment;
. Zone for future expansion with a focus on fitness equipment and adventure play; and
. Landscape spaces which include a range of planting treatments to provide future play and learning experiences in and around the play space.
The design for the playground was completed in consultation with the community and incorporates a strong stone, water and timber theme reflecting Hamilton’s unique natural environment.
An alternative walking track has been created around the site near Lake Hamilton while the works are being completed.