A vision to bring facilities to a wharf and foreshore park for people with disabilities to enjoy fishing in Gwandalan has won funding of almost $30,000 from Council and Delta Coal.
The funding totalled more than $50,000 and has been shared between five organisations in the Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park suburbs.
The Gwandalan project, which was spearheaded by the local Improvement Group and run by its members, Laurie Sweet and Meredith Corrigan, will see a large pavilion constructed next to a newly-established wharf that was designed to cater for the needs of people who live with disabilities so they could enjoy dipping a line in the water.
The wharf opened just before COVID lockdowns in July 2021 but was two years in the making after the Improvement Group secured funding from the Recreational Fishing Trust.
Sweet explained that his vision was to encourage and assist groups to spend time fishing and to find a way to extend their time by offering them a sausage from the barbecue and a covered place to sit and socialise.
“We wanted people to enjoy the facilities we have down here on the water.
“It’s taken a long time to get the whole project together but it has been really rewarding,” he said.
The annual $53,000 fund is given to the Council to allocate by Delta Coal/Chain Valley Colliery.
The remaining four successful applicants included Mannering Park Tidy Towns Group Incorporated for its ‘Time to Renew’ project ($1,661.91); Manno Men’s Shed Incorporated for the replacement of miscellaneous workshop equipment ($2,919.00); Chain Valley Bay Progress Association for tables, seating and covered BBQ area at Chain Valley Bay Hall playspace area ($10,074.50) and Southlake Incorporated (Auspicing Kingfisher Shores Community Garden) to set up a community garden (up to $10,325.61).
Council Administrator Rik Hart said this program provided a boost to supporting local groups and initiatives each year and benefited the wider community.
“Council is thrilled for the successful applicants and the residents of Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park which will benefit from these projects,” Hart said.
Nicola Riches