Councillors to vote on Stawell plan
Stawell residents and visitors are set to benefit from a new community space that showcases the town’s premier sporting event, the Stawell Gift.
Northern Grampians Shire councillors will vote on a design for the former Waites Robson site at the corner of Main and Napier streets.
The site is used for overflow carparking at the home of the gift, Central Park, at Easter.
Stawell Parks Precinct Plan has identified the site as a key location in need of improvement.
Council staff worked closely with Jeavons Landscape Architects to develop a design, which encompasses feedback from the community and interest groups.
Northern Grampians mayor Murray Emerson said feedback specified any work on the site should: Showcase the Stawell Gift; be an open and welcome platform for Central Park; be a multi-use space and thoroughfare for the community to use; and have key aspects that promote usability and community place-making.
The design features metal artwork of runners; a focal lawn area with running track lines designed to attract visitors’ eyes to Central Park and mirror the running track; tree planting to the sides; corten steel screening at the back of the building and scoreboard; benches, shading, interpretive signs and other amenities to entice people into the heart of town.
Pedestrian paths cut through the site, forming different themed landscape ‘rooms’ designed to represent the attractions of the region.
“From the mountains to the plains, all aspects of the shire are represented in this space,” Cr Emerson said.
“The design is really clever in that it ties in beautifully with Central Park and uses elements from all over the shire to create a cohesive space.”
Cr Emerson said the design was a result of community consultation.
“After having meetings with the Stawell Athletic Club and other stakeholders, it’s clear community representatives are excited about this project and have given it their full support,” he said.
“The 2020 Stawell Gift will not be disrupted by these works as the project will start after the Easter festivities, but this new space will be a gateway to the gift in future years.
“It has taken time and careful planning to come up with a design that ticks all the boxes and incorporates the wonderful ideas presented to us by the community.
“With the use of separate zones and interesting elements, the council cannot wait to see this exciting new project come to life.”
Cr Emerson said the council was investigating funding options for the project.
He said he expected the project would be completed in stages over 18 months, following the start of construction.