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Welcome upgrades for Governor Phillip Park

Council has recently updated the Master Plan for Governor Phillip Park to include upgrades to the playground and car park as well as to guide Council on how best to further develop the park. The plan will assist Council in future applications for additional grant funding to continue the upgrade of this important regional facility for the community and to complement the continuing development of the Windsor Foreshore.

The Governor Phillip Park Master Plan 2016 proposes:

 playground upgrade
 car park upgrade – realignment of the car park to improve manoeuvrability and capacity for all users
 a new amenities block opposite the boat wash down area
 additional car parking areas
 an extension to the Clubhouse to accommodate service boats and kiosk/café
 replacement of the tree avenue
 location for the new park entry signage
 relocation of the Pioneer Memorial to a more prominent position
 extension of the pathway network, forming a loop
 riverbank restoration works – revegetation with native sedges and river access points for fishing
 seating terraces along the riverbank
 new viewing area/lookout from the car park towards the boat ramp/junction of South Creek with the Hawkesbury River.

The car park will be upgraded with $78,000 funding from the Roads and Maritime Services – NSW Boating Now Program, a program that also funded the recent construction of the new Governor Phillip Reserve Jetty, stabilising the riverbank and formalising the access pathway between the existing boat ramp and pontoon.

The $120,000 children’s playground will be funded primarily by Council with a $100,000 contribution and $20,000 from the NSW State Government’s Community Building Partnership program.

The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Kim Ford said the park is an important asset for the community.

“Council welcomes comments on The Governor Phillip Park Master Plan 2016 and the proposed playground design, which is available to view online at Council’s Community Engagement site Your Hawkesbury–Your Say and at Council’s Libraries and Administration Building,” Mayor Ford said.

“Improving the car park is great news for the community as this park is widely used for cars and trailers while people enjoy themselves on the Hawkesbury River for various recreational water activities.

“Governor Phillip Park is a key reserve containing the Hawkesbury's main boat ramp and is home to many major boating events,” he added.

“I’m sure boat race organisers will appreciate the upgrades as it will make it easier and safer to get trailers in and out of the car park during high use periods such as boat race events that are held at the park throughout the year.

“Governor Phillip Park is also a valuable part of the Hawkesbury Nepean Great River Walk, so all improvements make it a better drawcard for tourism as well.”

 

The car park upgrade will formalise additional trailer parking areas along the main access road and provide some spaces of longer length to accommodate larger vehicle-trailer combinations. New set-up bays will be located along the access road before the car park to help reduce congestion at the boat ramp in peak periods.

A new fish cleaning table, also funded by a grant, will be installed adjacent to the boat wash-down area.

A new larger playground will replace the existing playground to better reflect the regional nature of the park and to support the large number of visitors that attend the park during events.

“This regional playspace will be designed to provide challenges for children of all ages within a landscaped setting,” Mayor Ford said.

“Stage 1 works will include a children’s bicycle path and items that will encourage balancing, climbing, sliding, spinning and exploration.

“Council will continue to seek additional funding to further boost the playground in future with plans to include a flying fox, trampolines and swings.”

The proposed playground design is currently available to view (Stage 1 works) online at Your Hawkesbury Your Say https://yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/governor- phillip-park- masterplan-and- new-playground and at Council’s Administration Building, George Street Windsor, as well as at Richmond Branch Library and Hawkesbury Central Library, Windsor. Council is interested in hearing your views on the playground design and the Master Plan via email [email protected] or through Council’s online community engagement site Your Hawkesbury–Your Say by 27 June 2016.

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