Wins for Wingham

Published on 07 October 2020

Substantial projects are taking place in Wingham with the Riverside Reserve Project, Showground improvements, Library upgrade and Central Park playground shade sails all progressing, along with community consultations planned this month for the CBD revitalisation project.

“Working with the Wingham Advancement Group and Wingham Rotary Club, we will be commencing works in February 2021 on works to improve the amenity of Wingham’s Riverside Reserve,” said Council’s Manager of Public Spaces, Recreation and Trades, Dan Aldridge.

The project will involve earthworks and paving to establish an area for car and trailer parking, the installation of timber bollards and a timber retaining wall and establishment of grassed landscaping.

“These works will require closing access to the Reserve, and are being timed to avoid the summer holidays and to protect the endangered flying fox colony whose breeding season is between September and February.”

Grey-headed flying foxes give birth in Spring and then carry their young for another two months.

NSW Government guidelines for protecting flying fox colonies advise that sudden movement and loud noises can disturb the flying foxes and cause females to drop their young. From September to February absolutely no work can be conducted in close proximity to the colony.

Wingham Showground will receive a new cattle pavilion undercover area and a rebuilt spinners and craft shed, with construction expected to begin in late October and be completed by the end of March 2021.

The project is funded by the NSW Stronger Country Communities fund, and project managed by MidCoast Council in consultation with the Wingham Showground Crown Lands Manager.

Wingham Library will also be receiving a major upgrade, adding a passenger lift for access to the upper level, an air conditioning upgrade, roof replacement, an additional ground floor extension and new fit-out.

Funded under the Public Libraries Infrastructure Grants 2019 – 2020, the project will go to tender this month, with works expected to commence in late November, and take around six months for completion.

And due for completion in the next few weeks is a shade sail installation over the children’s playground in Central Park. Posts have been installed, with the sails being manufactured now.

“While all of these upgrades will cause some temporary closures and inconvenience for Wingham residents, we’re looking forward to the substantial improvements they will bring to this iconic Manning Valley destination,” said Mr Aldridge.

And coming soon – watch out for community consultations to develop concept plans for the revitalisation of Wingham’s CBD.

For more information on these and many other projects underway across the MidCoast region, visit midcoast.nsw.gov.au/everyday.