Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Thursday, 9 June, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

River precinct project progresses

The Minister for Water, Hon. Lisa Neville committed $110,000 to complete the functional design stage of the Eastbank Lake project, which will enhance the river precinct and provide recreational benefits for local residents.

The concept plans show an innovative design which beautifies and increases usability of the Goulburn River and provides a pedestrian link between the Eastbank Lake location behind the council offices and Monash Park, the CBD, Victoria Park Lake, Aquamoves and the new SAM.

The working group comprises representatives from Goulburn Valley Water, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Yorta Yorta Nation, Goulburn Valley Environment Group and Greater Shepparton City Council, with direction from Spiire.

Also in attendance was Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, Director of Regional Planning and Projects (Urban Water) Benjamin White who presented on the Water for Victoria discussion paper.

Mr White spoke on the challenges and vision for managing Victoria’s water resources into the future to ensure healthy environments and prosperous and thriving communities.

"With predicted growth rates of two percent for many of Victoria's regional cities and towns, we need to work together to ensure they remain liveable,” said Mr White.

“Water plays an important role in supporting community values, such as urban greening. The Eastbank Lake project is a prime example of agency collaboration and a community coming together to develop an exciting concept for the future of Shepparton."

The project is the brainchild of businessman and former Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Geoff Dobson who has brought a working group together to tackle an aspirational project that will see environmental, social, cultural and economic gains for Greater Shepparton.

The project has several aims which include:

Reduce Stormwater impacts on the Goulburn River
Reduce Potable Water Consumption
Development of an attractive community precinct and assets
Improve biodiversity
Showcase and demonstrate best practice stormwater management practices
Provide opportunity for education

The Eastbank Lake Precinct will provide a unique opportunity for Shepparton to embrace the Goulburn River and connect Shepparton with the creation of public open meeting spaces, parklands and a more welcoming and aesthetically pleasing gateway between Shepparton and Mooroopna.

“This project will see a best practice approach to stormwater management, reduce potable water use on recreational areas and provide another tourism asset for Greater Shepparton”, explains Mr Dobson. “The Goulburn is one of our greatest assets that can be both utilised and preserved through this project. We are known for our effective management of water in the Goulburn Valley, and this project enables to further showcase how efficient we are with water usage.”

Mr Dobson says additional funding will be sought from a range of public and private investors to carry out the works.

For further details please contact Mr Dobson on 0458349995 or g_dobson@bigpond.com