State money for riverfront project

Horsham’s Riverfront Activation development project has had a $500,000 State Government boost.

The state commitment means all three tiers of government will contribute to the project – the first sub-precinct of a City to River Masterplan.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Mccormack visited Horsham last year to announce a $1.65-million contribution from the Federal Government and Horsham Rural City Council will invest $850,000 from its own budget.

Horsham council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the State Government funding had brought the total project budget to $3-million.

He said the money would go towards ‘activating’ Wimmera River frontage, designed to make the area more inviting and improving its links with Horsham’s central activity district.

“The priority focus along the riverfront includes the area between the rowing clubrooms in the west to the east side of the Wimmera Bridge,” Mr Bhalla said.

“Concepts for this space will be drawn from public input provided through the initial engagement in 2019, as well as consultation with groups in and adjacent to the space.”

Mr Bhalla said a Community Reference Group, CRG, would help turn ideas into detailed plans that would go out for public comment later this year. “The CRG will ensure concepts and costs are ‘road tested’ with stakeholders and the public, and that final design reflects a development that our community will be satisfied with and excited to see,” he said.

“Many ideas were put forward through the first phase of engagement for the City to River Masterplan on how to enhance and improve the riverfront.

“There is now an opportunity available through federal and state government funding to develop this valuable public space so that it can work.”

Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes announced funding for the project alongside 34 other Victorian ventures.