DID you know that the Peter Frances Points Arboretum in Coleraine, which is close to 100 acres in size, houses more than 10,000 Australian native plants? From young growth to mature trees, the arboretum has one of Australia’s most valuable native plant collections.

The community-developed and run project started in the early 1970s on a hill at the site of an old quarry. For many years the arboretum was magnificently maintained by the Coleraine community and even local philanthropists Geoff and Helen Handbury donated $250,000 to expand it.

Unfortunately, at one point the State Government decided to pass the management to Parks Victoria. Now, the arboretum is in a deplorable state and is no longer the showpiece it once was.

Council and the arboretum’s committee of management have continually written letters to the State Government, requesting that the arboretum be handed back to the community, but to no avail. The time has come to save this national asset and the community might have to try a different approach.

This week, demolition will start at Melville Oval in Hamilton, to get ready for the new build.

The redevelopment includes new clubrooms with change rooms for footballers and netballers and kiosk and bar – all under the heritage grandstand. There’ll also be two new netball courts and a pavilion near Market Place and Dryden Street, as well as new seating for spectators.

Local business Ultrabuild won the principal project contract, and Managing Director Ryan Hatherell will be using local sub-contractors, which means there will be a lot of money staying in our community.

I’m sure it will be their pride and joy to build this major facility for their local community, and Council looks forward to working with the contractors involved between now and the end of next year when we are required to deliver the project.

Now that the work is physically beginning, I would like to again acknowledge the Federal Government for monies provided so far and thank our Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan for his ongoing support.

When it comes to Council projects, I’m pleased to report that our works team has ticked off the completion of outdoor furniture installation at Branxholme, Penshurst, Dunkeld and Balmoral, and will soon finish installation at Coleraine and Cavendish.

Funded by the State Government’s ‘COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program’, the outdoor furniture has been strategically placed near eateries in each town, to provide residents and visitors the option of sitting outside with their food. With COVID-19 still prevalent, it’s important to give people the choice to maintain a safe distance, whilst enjoying their lunch or coffee. 

And finally, following last week’s announcement by the Victorian Premier that the state would no longer host the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to budget constraints, Council will closely monitor any opportunities for funding to benefit our Shire.

The Premier indicated that the government would allocate a $2 billion package to ensure regional Victoria still receives all the benefits that would have been created by the Games. Southern Grampians Shire Council expects to be part of the impending discussions with local governments, sporting codes, tourism bodies and communities in rural areas, so watch this space!