Construction works to address two park issues

Bicentennial Park users will soon see some construction activity get underway as Tamworth Regional Council takes on two tasks needing urgent action – fixing a water leak in a pond and demolition of the N. L. McKellar Stage.

Tamworth Regional Council Manager Sports and Recreation, Paul Kelly, said the pond issue is a significant water conservation concern while the deteriorated stage is a matter of public safety.

Work is expected to be completed this week to stop water loss from the small pond next to the park’s fountain. However, a leak has now been discovered in the larger pond on the other side of the fountain next to the village green.

Mr Kelly said about 60 kilolitres of bore water is being lost from the pond daily which is “not sustainable”.

“A number of solutions were investigated to fix the pond leak but following discussions with councillors it was decided to fill it in the time being,” he said.

“Water features will be a key consideration of the Bicentennial Park Masterplan which has started to be reviewed and updated. However, right now being in the grip of a severe drought Councillors agreed the most waterwise and cost effective move is to fill it in.”

Discussions about the future of the N. L. McKellar Stage gained momentum last year when the Tamworth Regional Cultural Plan 2018-2023 was being developed. There were questions about whether the structure remained suitable for major events and questions about increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour.

“In recent months there has been significant deterioration of the structure of N. L. McKellar Stage due to vandalism and the age of the structure,” Mr Kelly said. “While there has been some repair work done, recent inspections have revealed there is a need to demolish it as a matter of public health and safety.”

The stage, opened in November 1988, is named in honour of the late former Tamworth Mayor Norman McKellar who held office for a decade from 1969. He died in 1985.

Council has met with Mr McKellar’s family to talk about the need to demolish the stage. It was agreed that two plaques on the stage - one referring to the opening and one with some information about its namesake – will be removed and will be returned to Bicentennial Park in another location in the near future.

Council decided last year it was time to review and update the Bicentennial Park Masterplan which was created in 2009. It is expected the updated Masterplan will include water features in the park which is considered the Tamworth Region’s showcase community parkland.