Water-play park up for discussion

Acommunity webinar tomorrow will provide Wimmera people with an opportunity to learn more about Horsham’s evolving plans for a riverfront water-play area.

Horsham Rural City Council is exploring the development of a water-themed playground on the north side of the Wimmera River near Horsham Caravan Park.

Retaining the Wimmera River’s natural aesthetics in the area is a key development direction.

The project is part of a broader Horsham Riverfront Activation project, which already has a guaranteed $3-million in funding from federal and state governments and the council.

The council is also waiting for a response on a $3-million grant application to Sport and Recreation Victoria.

A project community reference group is working with community user groups to consolidate ideas across the precinct project area.

Group chairman Johnny Gorton said the community direction was pointing to a park based on natural environmental qualities.

“We are finding that community groups consulted with so far see that it’s not a large aquatic theme park that includes bright plastic slides and other man-made elements,” he said.

“And they are generally pretty comfortable with what a natural water-play area is.

“That feedback has been injected into concept designs, which will be released to the public when finalised.”

Mr Gorton said the community might expect to see a gently flowing water course, manually operated hand pumps, systems of adjustable dams and weirs, spray heads and pop jets – suited to operation by children of all ages. He said play elements that could be used all year without water flow, including small boulders for climbing, logs for balancing, stones for jumping along and sand pits, were also among considerations.

“This type of playground is very different to anything we have in the Wimmera at the moment,” he said.

“A natural water-themed play area will complement the beautiful riverfront and provide an exciting, new, family-friendly play space.

“Our community has told us they want to see a more activated riverfront with family-friendly activities.”

The Zoom webinar, from 5.30pm, will provide information to anyone interested in learning more about the Riverfront Activation Project.

The session will be recorded and be available on the council website, hrcc.vic.gov.au, for viewing at any time.

People will need to register on the website to attend the session. Up to 100 people can attend a Zoom webinar.

Planning also includes two weeks of in-person public feedback sessions at Horsham Angling Club rooms in mid-august, subject to COVID-19 restrictions remaining unchanged.

“This type of playground is very different to anything we have in the Wimmera at the moment. A natural water-themed play area will complement the beautiful riverfront and provide an exciting, new, family-friendly play space” – Johnny Gorton