Port Precinct Plan - Activities Endorsed

22 November 2018 - Media Release

Campaspe Shire Council has noted a report detailing actions planned for the year ahead to support achieving the vision statement in the Echuca Port Precinct Plan, ‘A place to take your time, relax and enjoy yourself’.

Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston said council endorsed the Port Precinct Plan in July and requested an implementation plan be prepared, to include the actions, budgets and timelines. Further in adopting the 2018/19 Budget in June, council allocated approximately $224,000 to support progressing the strategic direction in the Port Precinct Plan.

“Council last night affirmed where the majority of these funds will be allocated,” Cr Weston said.

“Allocations have been made to four key segments being activation activities $58,700, activity administration support $6,500, community activation grants $20,000 and infrastructure $63,800.”

“The activation activities are initially planned over the five week Christmas break focusing on increased activity across the whole precinct. They include the New Year’s community celebration, a kid’s holiday program, live music in the street, Troubadour roaming as well as the Easter Sail Past.”

For infrastructure, the funding will support the greening of the pop-up park in Murray Esplanade as well as supporting the river desilting works adjacent to the Echuca Wharf.

“The allocation of $20,000 for community activation grants will support the community in putting forward their projects and events for the port precinct,” Cr Weston said.

“This also links back to a strategy in the Port Precinct Plan, ‘a place where collaboration makes it happen’, recognising that business and community groups also have a role to play.”

Some of the activities underway and planned in the implementation plan include:

Redevelopment of the second levels of the Permewan Wright building in conjunction with the Echuca Historical Society to provide a further attraction Progressing the Arts Precinct Infrastructure and Service Plan to support development of an arts hub Desilting the Murray River adjacent to the Echuca Wharf to increase paddlesteamer access to the wharf Development of the “Telling the story of Echuca” to broaden the stories told throughout the precinct.

“With funding now confirmed, staff can start planning the proposed activation activities and other projects as approved,” Cr Weston said.

A further report will come back to council to allocate the remaining funds of $75,000 which were not determined during the meeting.