10 June 2021:
Fountains, lights, enhanced pathways, picnic tables and native wetland will feature in Cootamundra’s iconic Jubilee Park as part of a $2 million upgrade.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announced a $2 million grant from the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program for the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) for the enhancement of the Jubilee Park project, which will focus on increasing the amenity of the park and expand on the natural habitat for native birds.
The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is part of ongoing work to protect the health of the community, provide economic and jobs stimulus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver a legacy of safe, quality public and open space.
Over 100 projects in 60 Local Government Areas have been approved as part of the NSW Government’s $250 million Public Spaces Legacy Program. Projects include a diverse range of public open spaces including new and improved walking and cycle paths, parks, trails and boardwalks, lookouts, foreshore, and riverfronts, playspaces, civic plazas, outdoor event, and performance spaces.
A contingent of Councillors, and staff met with Ms Cooke last week, to inspect the park and look over the masterplan devised by consultants Sala4D. the masterplan came after extensive community consultation which included surveys and community meetings.
The guiding principles for the design were to provide a park for events and activities. Provide opportunity for people to learn about Australian native plants and birds. Provide a complete path network that caters for all. Enhance and celebrate the River Red Gum trees within the park and use Australian native plants within the landscaping design. New contemporary signage, furniture, and lighting will be installed along with signage to interpret the Aboriginal and site heritage. Shady areas will be maintained, and amenities upgraded.
A wet Garden will be installed in the area where the old dam was situated to encourage a greater variety of bird life, with bird attracting plants, bird baths, fountains, and walking route.
The Captains Head walk will be enhanced with the replanting of the garden beds and organising the busts into sequential order. A full loop walking path network will be established throughout the park to encourage participation in all aspects of the park’s attractions.
CGRC mayor Cr Abb McAlister said he was excited to see this plan come together and was thankful that the NSW State Government was able to fund the project.
“The NSW Public Legacy Program has given us the opportunity to bring this masterplan for Jubilee Park alive, we first went into this last year. The masterplan gave us a road map on what could happen with Jubilee Park into the future. This funding will allow Council to get the work underway long before we thought we could.” Cr McAlister said.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said she was delighted the NSW Government was investing in the long-term future of Jubilee Park.
“I am so pleased to announce this support for Jubilee Park which will continue to enhance this vital community space,” Ms Cooke said.
“This work will help Jubilee Park be enjoyed by even more people and is an investment in the long-term future of Cootamundra.”
Picture and caption:
(Left to right) CGRC Manager Waster, Parks & Recreations Services Wayne Bennet with CGRC Mayor Abb McAlister, Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke MP, CGRC Deputy Mayor Dennis Palmer and Councillors Charlie Sheahan and Leigh Bowden look over the masterplan for Cootamundra’s Jubilee Park. The Park has received $2 million funding from the NSW Public Legacy Program.
