Local residents Lorraine Pola, left, and Julieann Scott with mayor Jacinta Ermacora on council land at the corner of Woodend and Laverock roads, which they want to become a park.
A NEW community park and an extension of the Russells Creek footpath along the Merri River have been proposed for west Warrnambool.
Outgoing mayor and city council candidate Cr Jacinta Ermacora said the project could be provided at relatively low cost using government funding.
“I believe that areas south of the highway shouldn’t be the only suburbs that can access excellent public park and recreation facilities,” Cr Ermacora said.
“Council-owned land along the Merri is a low-cost opportunity to provide Warrnambool west with the same quality park facilities as the rest of the city.
“I am confident council would be able to access government funding to assist with its construction.
“Council should place more emphasis on the infrastructure and service needs of our suburban communities.
“If re-elected I will work to redress this imbalance,” she said.
Cr Ermacora suggested land at the corner of Woodend and Laverock roads for a new park and the footpath extension running from Daltons Road.
“At the moment significant numbers of residents walk along an informal track which extends from Daltons Road leading into the Woodend-Laverock roads corner,” she said.
“It’s a great place for walking dogs, but there are no facilities.
“Prior to any council decision on my proposal I would expect an extensive consultation process with the local west Warrnambool community seeking their ideas and suggestions as to the location and content of such a park.”
Cr Ermacora said it would be a similar consultation to the Brierly area where the first step was to undertake a masterplan costing about $20,000.
“Once the masterplan was done it would trigger government funding for a staged process,” she said.
“It’s very affordable because council owns the land.”
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