Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City was pleased to start work on the project, which had featured involvement from local residents and business owners, and was a positive outcome for the Willagee community.
‘The City is committed to building, enhancing and providing spaces that will support communities into the future,’ he said.
‘With Willagee identified as a priority area for revitalisation, it is a great step forward to be starting development work at the Carawatha site, which is also part of a broader structure plan and vision for developing the area.’
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READ NOWA series of consultation workshops with the local community were run by the City after the purchase of the former Carawatha Primary School site in 2006.
Mr Aubrey said there was a clear desire to preserve and develop the remaining bushland, and to create a high quality parkland area that could be used by a cross-section of the community.
A concept plan was presented to the community for comment earlier this year and an implementation plan was approved by the council in April 2013, for adoption in the 2013-14 budget.
With the start of the new financial year, the City is ready to proceed with the first phase to develop bushland at the site.
The bushland project is scheduled for completion by September 2013, with works to include weed spraying and removal, rubbish removal, path construction, and fencing.
After this, the City will finalise detailed designs for the parkland area, with the works estimated to begin in April 2014.
Mr Aubrey said the timing would allow the final stage of the project to be completed over two financial years without interruption.
The new parkland development will include a children’s playground, teenage activity area, grassed area, path network, barbecues, public toilets and improved parking facilities.
‘The complete redevelopment of the old Carawatha site is expected to be completed by November 2014, to be reopened to the Willagee community as a wonderful new public open space, which we hope will provide more opportunities for the wellbeing of all residents and visitors to the area,’ Mr Aubrey said.
For more information visit www.melvillecity.com.au/carawatha or call 1300 635 845.