Young mum thanks Council for Lions Park upgrade

Upgrades to St George’s Lions Park on the river foreshore are much appreciated by parents of young children, according to a St George mother of two.

Courtney Turvey had written to Council and approached Deputy Mayor Cr Fiona Gaske seeking a fence around the popular park to allow children to play safely in the park.

“It’s a great little park, but was only partly fenced and is close to the road, so it made sense to fence it properly and provide a safer environment for the kids to play,” she said.

“I’m really happy with the new fence and am delighted that Council also laid soft-fall synthetic grass - that was a bonus I wasn’t expecting and it’s a real hit with the kids.”

The $30,000 upgrade to Lions Park is part of Council’s larger $425,000 St George River Foreshore Upgrade – all being funded by the Regional Economic Development Program (REDP).

Cr Gaske said the Foreshore upgrade would also include improvements to park areas the full length of the foreshore.

“The REDP also provided funding for:

the Lions Park toilets to be converted to a unisex, disabled facility; improved car parking, new footpath and shade sail replacement  at the Boat Ramp at the end of Bowen St; a new barbecue shelter, barbecue and seating at Cavanough Park; a Bush Tucker Garden; the flood pole and seating in Apex park to be upgraded; and new barbecue shelters at the Canoe Ramp.

“Council was also fortunate to receive Drought Community Program funding for upgrading the carpark, footpath and kerbing at the Canoe Ramp. Most of the work at the Canoe Ramp is now complete.

“Our aim is to enhance one of St George’s best assets - the Balonne River. These improvements will ensure the parks along the foreshore offer plenty of opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy the facilities and river.”

REDP funding of $372,000 was also received by Council for the Dirranbandi Rail and River Precinct Stage 1 which will see the construction of a carpark, footpath, seasonal billabong and landscaping.

Council also was fortunate to receive funding from the Drought Community Program which will see the following works carried out:

Thallon Park Toilet Upgrade St George Showground Secretary Office Upgrade Rowden Park Playground (to be undertaken in March) Dirranbandi Civic Centre toilets and park shelter and synthetic grass Mungindi River Crossing Park upgrade (carpark and toilet upgrade) McGeever Recreation Grounds (Thallon) drainage works St George River Foreshore footpath upgrade between Canoe Ramp and disability ramp Dirranbandi footpath and kerb replacement (Railway Street) Hebel Library and Bicentennial Park irrigation Dirranbandi Pool Shade Structure Bollon Town Common fencing upgrade Nindigully Bridge removal and weir upgrade

Published 29 January 2019