Lake Alford Park is set to undergo a $760,000 transformation to revitalise this much-loved area.
At its February Ordinary Meeting, Council awarded the project tender to S.C.L Services Pty Ltd t/a DISC Landscapes to deliver the project, which is being funded through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority following the February 2022 floods.
The works include a mixture of organic measures to stabilize the banks of the ponds which includes using plants, gradual sloping and introducing some sandstone blocks, which will also double as a terraced seating area adjacent to the Gympie Lions Rotunda.
Up to 25,000 new plants including trees, grasses, and aquatic plants will be planted as part of the project, as well as a garden restoration to remove any dead or sick trees and plants which will go a long way to reinvigorate the area.
Construction is expected to commence in the next month, with completion estimated for early June 2025, weather permitting.
During the works, sections of the park adjacent to the pond will be closed to the community for safety. These closures will only be in place for a short period and will periodically move around the pond as the project progresses.
The QRA funding is part of the Community and Recreational Asset Recovery and Resilience Program established to assist local governments, state agencies, and non-profit sport and active recreation organisations to clean-up, repair and or build resilience following the 2022 floods.
The Community and Recreational Asset Recovery and Resilience Program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.