Kershaw Gardens set to be the ultimate community ‘backyard’
Published on 06 October 2017
After two and a half years of remediation works at Rockhampton’s Kershaw Gardens, redevelopment of the city’s beloved ‘backyard’ is well underway.
Since being devastated by Tropical Cyclone Marcia in 2015, works have progressively been carried out to not only restore the site to its former glory but to make it an even better attraction for locals and visitors.
Rockhampton MP Bill Byrne today joined Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow and Councillors to inspect the progress of works in the central precinct, set to become a stunning, nature themed, recreational space.
Mayor Strelow praised the State Government’s $5million ‘Building our Regions’ contribution for making the city’s ultimate backyard affordable for the community.
“So much creativity and imagination has been put into realising the vision for Kershaw Gardens, and with the remediation of this area now behind us, we can now look forward to seeing Kershaw’s new beginning come to life,” Mayor Strelow said.
“The State Government’s $5million contribution has helped us build a real centrepiece for Rockhampton - a recreational space with features unique to anything else in our Region, and one that our community and tourists alike will enjoy all year round.”
Mayor Strelow said the real show stopper will be a wet play area representing our iconic Fitzroy River for families to paddle and play.
“One of our very own Parks officers created the idea of a 200mm deep meandering water course that represents the flow of the water through the Fitzroy River from Riverslea out to the sea. It also comes complete with its very own barrage,” Mayor Strelow said.
Other impressive elements include the popular, and in-demand, monorail, double flying fox and swings, timber play towers, stone block maze, shaded picnic shelters, new public amenities and free Wi-Fi.
Irrigation and footings for the buildings and water play areas are currently being installed, with many of the play features being erected from late November.
State Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said it was great to be able to see close up the remediation work and also how the new look of the local iconic Kershaw Gardens is coming along.
“We all know the damage caused by Cyclone Marcia and the great effort and expense it has taken to return it not only to its former glory, but to actually enhance the gardens,” Mr Byrne said.
“Once completed this will truly not only be a great place to take your family if you are a local, but will also be a big attraction for tourists helping to boost our local economy.”
The redevelopment of the central precinct is anticipated to be completed in May 2018.