Politics & Council
9 March, 2024
Late notice pop-ups ask views on recreation
THE last pop-up community consultation sessions discussing the future of Loddon Shire recreation spaces were to be held today. Sessions in Tarnagulla and Wedderburn follow visits by consultants to Boort, Pyramid Hill, Bridgewater and East Loddon P12...
THE last pop-up community consultation sessions discussing the future of Loddon Shire recreation spaces were to be held today.
Sessions in Tarnagulla and Wedderburn follow visits by consultants to Boort, Pyramid Hill, Bridgewater and East Loddon P12 College yesterday.
Loddon Shire promoted the Recreation, Open Space and Aquatic Strategy community consultation opportunities online late last week.
The 10-year strategy will include sport and other active recreation reserves, parks and playgrounds, swimming pools, tracks and trails, bushland reserves, rivers and lakes.
Shire community wellbeing director Wendy Gladman said: “We’re inviting our community to have their say and contribute ideas for the development of Council’s Recreation, Open Space and Aquatic Strategy.
“This first phase of consultation for the ROSA began prior to Christmas,” she said.
This included surveys of sports clubs, recreation reserve committee of managements and schools.
“Interviews were also conducted with stakeholders such as state sporting associations.
“We are now surveying the community via the online survey and drop-in sessions. There is also an opportunity to make a public submission.”
Mrs Gladman said this week’s drop-in were another way of “reaching out to our community who may not have a chance to complete the survey – or would prefer to discuss in person”.
“The survey and drop-in sessions are just part of the overall community consultation process for the ROSA, with more consultation activities planned, including key stakeholder interviews and workshops, which will be undertaken throughout the project,” she said.
Mayor Gavan Holt said the survey allowed people to nominate their top three ideas for the use of recreation facilities in the shire.
Loddon Shire has swimming pools in Boort, Inglewood, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn and sporting grounds and facilities in all local communities.
The future of swimming pools was in the spotlight in January 2022 when equipment failures and a shortage of lifeguards saw some pools closed for several weeks.
Mitiamo pool last week re-opened after a fortnight after a replacement pump had to be installed. The swimming pool season ends this weekend.