Federal funding kick starts community projects

Three Mount Barker District Council projects will proceed in the 2022/2023 financial year thanks to $1.353 million of Federal Government funding under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program - phase 3.

Council has approved the use of the funds to go towards upgrades to Keith Stephenson Park, Stephen Street streetscaping and improvements to the Callington Recreation Ground.

This funding from the Federal Government is so welcome because it will inject a whole lot of new energy into the district in getting these important projects completed.

An upgrade of Keith Stephenson Park has been allocated $600,000 for the redesign of the playground to incorporate nature play and updating of the play equipment. The total cost of this upgrade is $795,000 with the remainder to be funded from Council’s playground asset renewal budget.

Keith Stephenson Park is so essential. It’s a place that is just used so much and to have a new nature playground and updated play equipment will be just so welcomed by the Mums and Dads and the Grannies who take the children to play there.

Stephen Street will become the primary link from Gawler Street and the City Centre site and has been allocated $720,000 of the total project cost of $920,000 to renew and upgrade the streetscape suitable for its expected future use. The balance of $200,000 will come from Council’s asset renewal budget as the road pavement and kerbing is now at end of life.

Callington Recreation Ground will receive a pump track, court renewal, fencing and associated recreation equipment. The $93,000 improvements will be co-funded by the Rural City of Murray Bridge who are contributing $42,100. Council will add a further $17,900 to add to the $33,000 from the LRCI funds to complete the project.

Construction of the three projects will occur in 2022/2023 with preparation for construction to take place in the remainder of this financial year.?