Politics & Council
4 December, 2023
$1m street jazz seed approved
RECOGNITION OF Aboriginal heritage has been made a priority in new plans for redevelopment of the Inglewood streetscape. Loddon Shire councillors on Tuesday allocated $1 million for detailed design and costing and as seed funding for state, federal...
RECOGNITION OF Aboriginal heritage has been made a priority in new plans for redevelopment of the Inglewood streetscape.
Loddon Shire councillors on Tuesday allocated $1 million for detailed design and costing and as seed funding for state, federal and philanthropic grant bids.
The project has been named as a priority by council since last year.
Councillors adopted a report that included seeking guidance and advice from Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation.
Major projects program manager Bruce Arthur told councillors the project would consider beautification, kerb and channel improvements, footpaths, underground power, greening initiatives, traffic calming, pedestrian safety, integration of public art and heritage walking trails.
“A concept masterplan was developed by the Inglewood Development and Tourism Committee utilising funding support from council. Following further consultation in 2022 and 2023, it is proposed to advance the project from the project concept and planning phase to the project design and approvals phase, aiming to provide documentation for future decisions regarding budget and project progression,” he said.
“There will be further opportunity for community input as part of the project design and development stage.”
Mr Arthur said design planning would involve collaboration with local artists and cultural experts to “authentically integrate public art and First Nations elements into the streetscape design, adding a unique cultural dimension to the project”.
He said public art would integrate artistic installations that told the story of Inglewood’s history, culture, and aspirations, creating points of interest and visual engagement. And he said Aboriginal recognition would incorporate design elements that acknowledged and celebrated the Aboriginal people and “their connection to the land, integrating cultural significance into the streetscape”.
“By undertaking design, council will be able to accurately determine the financial and design feasibility of the proposal. This will assist in managing expectations of the community should elements or stages of the project not progress,” he said. Accurate cost estimates in the detailed design phase would help council develop a funding strategy.
“Powercor is the responsible electricity infrastructure provider for the overhead power lines ... (and) will be a critical decision maker in regard to the infrastructure requirements and feasibility of undergrounding power.”