Construction for the first of Horsham's River Activation projects is underway after Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack turned the sod during a ceremony at the Horsham Angling Club on Monday.
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According to Horsham Rural City Council, project one will upgrade Horsham's riverfront pathways and is set to be completed within 12 months.
"We are delighted to have Mr McCormack in Horsham for what is an exciting day for our regional city," Horsham Mayor Robyn Gulline said.
Mr McCormack was joined at the ceremony on Monday morning by Member for Mallee Anne Webster.
A centrepiece of the project will create a riverfront arrival point at the end of Firebrace Street, Cr Gulline said.
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"This will be a civic gathering place with a sitting for a café to be constructed in the future," she said.
The works will involve "the widening and sealing of the entire stretch of shared use paths from Horsham City Rowing Club to the Wimmera Bridge" according to HRRC and will include new park benches and bin surrounds being installed.
"The scope of works also includes riverfront activity nodes that will allow people access to enjoy the river (for fishing or sitting), outdoor seating areas, new universal design public amenities, creative landscaping with new trees, grass and garden beds, signage and lighting upgrades, cultural artwork and external upgrades to the angling clubrooms including a new pergola structure - all designed to add to the natural beauty of the Wimmera River," Cr Gulline said.
Funding for the project $1.65 million from the Federal government and $500,000 grant from the Victorian government, received May 2020.
Horsham Rural City Council will contribute $850,000 to the Riverfront Activation Project, which is the first stage of the City to River Masterplan,
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The Masterplan intends "to make Horsham a more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest" and is projected to occur over the next two decades.
"In April 2020 an enthusiastic Community Reference Group was formed to work closely with Council and design architects to develop the concept plan," Cr Gulline said.
"We thank them for their willingness to work on this important project and present a plan to our community that was endorsed by Councillors in September last year."
Cr Gulline said Council was also delighted to receive confirmation of funding for the controversial Horsham Nature and Water Play Park last week.
The $2.45 million water park will be the second River Activation Project to get underway and will be "entirely funded by higher levels of government", according to Cr Gulline.
"The project that will be an amazing regional attraction and allow people to make the most of our riverfront," she said.
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