The Shire of Harvey is confident some of its new initiatives will draw more people to the region.
Shire personnel are working to revitalise key areas along the Collie River.
Assisted by grant funding from the Department of Transport, the shire redeveloped the boat ramp at The Elbow, in Australind.
The area also saw changes to its lighting and toilet facilities.
The shire then re-built the jetty at Sutton Court, also in Australind. They also made significant changes to Clifton Park, near the Collie Bridge.
“We have re-done the path network, put in some other shade facilities, and finished the nature playground which is part of the urban forest,” Shire of Harvey works and services manager Peter Kay said.
The shire is working with the community to beautify areas along the river and stamp out anti-social behaviour.
“The plan is to provide limited access to some areas – so that vehicles can get to a waterway, but then people can walk to a fishing point,” Shire president Tania Jackson said.
The shire hopes to redevelop The Elbow’s car park area, with support via grant funding.
In addition, the shire is planning to re-develop footpaths along the river to improve access.
Ms Jackson said they were also looking at one area of land, owned by the shire, in Twin Rivers.
Pleased to see each project taking shape, the shire president said they were committed to revitalising the river and its surrounds.
“The major upgrades are the more visible components, but there is a lot of work to do in between,” she said.
“We’re filling in the gaps as funding becomes available.
“We’ve got some different departments and land tenures to work through, but the plan, overall, is to create access along the river.
“It’s a wilderness area right in our urban zone. I think it is going to be a great asset, and it already is great for the people that live around there.
“We want to access that and maintain it at the same time.
“We have got a five-year plan, but that won’t complete the project – that is for projecting when funding might become available over the next few years.”
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