Memorial for Sam

AN exact location for a Warrahdale Park nature play memorial for Landsdale toddler Sam Trott is still to be decided.

Plans for the project will go before Wanneroo City Council tonight and could include three proposed sites or just one preferred option.

At last week’s briefing, chief executive Daniel Simms said work on the report leading up to the meeting would clarify whether they were seeking the council’s flexibility to progress one of three choices, or if it could narrow it down.

A report to the council said the favoured space was close to existing amenities, but had initially been deemed unsuitable because of a nearby Aboriginal heritage site.

But discussions with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs had indicated the location was outside of that significant heritage area.

The report said the exact location was subject to a meeting with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council this month.

It said a working group, which had agreed in principle with the concept design, was asked to provide a “fun, vibrant, happy, secure and stimulating” nature-based playground to best honour two-year-old Sam, who died in the park’s Snake Swamp in December last year.

The project was supported by councillors in March with $150,000 listed in the draft 2015-16 budget.

Tender estimates have identified the cost of the park will be about $280,000, with councillors to consider a $130,000 budget increase tonight.

To progress the project in the current financial year, it is recommended the council also authorises Mr Simms to approve any further design amendments in consultation with the Trott family.