GG 72/12
6 December 2012
A new regional park which in its play space caters for children of all abilities was today officially opened after Australian Government funding of more than $3.3 million.
The Swan Regional Riverside Park, part of which is known as Woodbridge Play Space, is located on 100 hectares of riverside reserve and features newly constructed walkways and boardwalks for pedestrian access to the riverside while protecting local bushland.
Special Minister of State Gary Gray, representing the Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean, and the Mayor of Swan, Cr Charlie Zannino, officially opened the park today.
The park is a major environmental, educational and cultural facility for locals, visitors and tourists.
“This park has already proven incredibly popular, partly because the play space provides ramps and other aids so that kids in wheelchairs or with other disabilities can join in the play,” Mr Gray said. “It is an all-abilities play space.
“Walking tracks are also a very popular leisure activity and walkways, with educational signage and discovery nodes, will encourage more people to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle and better understand their natural environment.
“The Australian Government provided more than $2.4 million through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) and nearly $930,000 under the Better Regions program (BR).
“No one government can fund all the infrastructure needs of Australia—it requires all three levels of government to work together.
“The funding provided by the Government through the RLCIP and BR leveraged more than $5.8 million from several organisations including City of Swan and Lotterywest.
“This development created local jobs and supported ten Indigenous traineeships along the way.”
The park features a riverside trail, CCTV surveillance; signage. bush restoration works, remedial works on the disused rubbish site to prevent water, soil and air pollution; and an all-abilities eco/cultural-discovery playground with car park, perimeter fencing, entry gates, toilet facilities and playground lighting.
| Media Contacts: |
|---|
| John Arthur - 0408 991 261 |