Draft Master Plan is subject to Councillor endorsement, community engagement

Horsham Rural City Council has welcomed the Coalition’s $1.65 million funding commitment to the Wimmera Riverfront Activation Project. Councillors joined Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development Minister Michael Mccormack for the announcement near Sawyer Park on Monday. Should the Coalition win the election, the funds will be used to connect Firebrace Street and the central activity district to the river precinct by developing civic amenities such as paths, seating, landscaping and shade structures. It’s all part of a plan to increase activity along the Wimmera River - an asset the Horsham community has described as underused during recent consultation projects. A permanent riverside cafe/restaurant would be the centrepiece attraction along with artworks and cultural interpretation features. In total, HRCC is lobbying the State and Federal Governments for $5 million while there is $842,500 reserved for the project in the proposed 2019-20 Council Budget. Mayor Mark Radford said Council’s plan was to revitalise the city as a place to live, work, play and invest. “To hear a funding commitment to the plan is very encouraging,” Cr Radford said. “The people of Horsham told us through the Transforming Horsham consultation process that a cafe or restaurant along with a civic stuare style space would be the best way to increase activity along the river. “We appreciate this funding pledge and we welcome any other commitments from candidates in the Federal Election. “We’d like to think that whichever party is elected will back this plan and make it a reality,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said the public was encouraged to assist with planning by having their say on the development.

“Details of the Riverfront Activation Vision are still being finalised with visualisations such as maps and drawings set to be put to the community for feedback,” Mr Bhalla said.

“It is the first Federal funding election commitment to the Transforming Horsham project which also includes the development of an Open Space Strategy, Horsham Urban Transport Plan and Horsham South Structure Plan.

“We are also advocating for funding to the support Horsham Shade project. This involves planting 5000 new street and park trees across the city which will help us reach a goal of increasing our tree canopy coverage in the decades to come,” Mr Bhalla said.