Rec reserve works get state backing

A NEW playground is set to be delivered at Clarendon Recreation Reserve thanks to funding through the first round in the State Government’s $20 million Tiny Towns Fund.

Expected to be installed in mid-October, the facilities will include two slides, a catwalk bridge, a rock scaling wall, overhead activity steps, hanging rings, an arched ladder and loop climber, and see-saw rocker.

The project is the final piece of the rec reserve committee of management’s masterplan in place since 2014 in response to the loss of the town’s primary school in 1994 and the Clarendon Hall in 2004.

With a new community centre and new tennis courts delivered in 2019 and 2023 respectively, management committee president Trevor Smith said he hopes the playground’s inclusion will bring more exposure to the site.

“There’s a lot of new families moving to the area and we’re wanting to encourage them to come down because it’s sort of a hidden treasure.

“We occasionally have people come down to walk their dog or have a hit of social tennis but we want to encourage people to come down for a barbecue and things like that.

“Following this, we’ll be developing a new masterplan and hopefully get a few more people involved.”

The estimated $75,000 project has been supported with $30,000 through the Lal Lal Wind Farm, with the remainder provided through the Tiny Towns initiative.

Eureka MP Michaela Settle visited the site on Thursday last week and said the playground is part of the rec reserve’s rebirth following a devastating bushfire that took place in the region in 2015.

“It really is a rising phoenix, this recreation reserve,” she said.

“The original $300,000 to rebuild the community hall came after the Scotsburn fires but it’s this community that have come together to really build on that.

“They’ve had money to rebuild the tennis courts and now this Tiny Town funding will complete their masterplan.

“Tiny Towns has a role in beautifying and making community and I’m really delighted about this one because it finishes a project born out of a pretty catastrophic situation.”

Committee of management members expect it will take three to four days to install the playground.