Location of proposed Horsham Regional Water Play Park up for debate ahead of council webinar

In a statement on Friday, the council said it will host the online event to "provide Wimmera people with the chance to learn more about Horsham's evolving plans for a riverfront water play area for the area".

At council's meeting on Monday night, Councillor John Robinson is set to move the motion "That the site of the proposed Wimmera Water Play Facility subject of a State Government funding application dated June 2020 be reverted to the Horsham Aquatic Centre location in compliance with approved Council plans".

A Zoom webinar will take place at 5.30pm Thursday.

The council has applied for $3 million to the state government for its Riverfront Activation project, a subsection of the City to River masterplan which includes the water splash park as a proposal.

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"The idea of a water-themed playground is gathering momentum, with local users groups agreeing that the retention of the Wimmera River's natural beauty is top of the wish list," the council said in the statement.

"The wider Riverfront Activation project already has a guaranteed $3 million in funding thanks to contributions from the Commonwealth and State Governments and Horsham Rural City Council."

A council spokesman said the splash park proposed for Horsham's waterfront could be inspired by Mildura Water Play Park and Royal Park Playground next to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.

The statement said the project's Community Reference Group, made up of stakeholders other than the council, was now working with local user groups to consolidate ideas across the whole precinct

The group's chair, Johnny Gorton, said the groups spoken to so far wanted the park to look natural.

READ MORE: Aquatics centre advisory committee members question waterfront splash park plan

Mr Gorton said the community could expect to see a gently flowing water course, manually operated hand pumps, systems of adjustable dams and weirs, spray heads and pop jets for children of all ages.

The council said it will be possible next week to register on its website to attend the Zoom session.

Two weeks of in-person public feedback sessions at Horsham Angling Clubrooms during mid-August are also planned, subject to COVID-19 restrictions remaining unchanged.

Horsham Rural City Council's July meeting will take place on Monday night, and will again be publicly available by Zoom due to coronavirus-related restrictions.

The councillors will decide whether to adopt the 2020-21 budget. In response to public submissions, $105,000 in spending has been proposed for items including extending Old Hamilton Road's cycling track, improving the river crossing at Walmer and engaging a motivational speaker for a workshop with Horsham community groups.

The council will also consider a report on requests for relief on rates and other charges, and decide whether to endorse a list of road, infrastructure and footpath upgrades supported by $1.428 million in federal government funding allocated in May.

Councillor Robinson will also move "That the Horsham Rural City Council Governance Review - City to River Project, conducted by "RSD Audit' and dated May 2020 - be made public".

In confidential matters, the council is set to consider an expression of interest on the future provision of the Commonwealth Home Support Program in the region.

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