WYNDHAM City Council has approved the design of a $2.1 million pedestrian bridge across the Werribee River, similar to the one that spans the Yarra at Southgate in Melbourne city.
The bridge, at Wedge St, is part of a master plan for Wyndham Park that will transform the area into a major community and tourist attraction.
It is estimated the plan for the park will cost between $3 to $5 million.
The council has allocated $1.16 million in the 2007-08 capital works program for the beginning of construction of the 175-metres long bridge, to extend from the car park in Wedge St to the top path, near the railway line in Wyndham Park.
The rest of the cost of the bridge will come from the State Government’s Transit City funding.
Construction is expected to start in the middle of next year.
Wyndham mayor Shane Bourke said the bridge and plan for the park were a fantastic opportunity to invigorate the CBD area of Werribee.
“The council has a responsibility to not only look after our new areas but the older established areas as well,” he said.
“The CBD still has the strip shops, the Werribee River is right there and the railway station not far away.
“The pedestrian bridge across the river will be a focal point for people using Wyndham Park.
“This plan will make the area more vibrant.”
The council noted that construction of the bridge could help to address the perception of the park as being unsafe, as the additional use it would encourage would increase the amount of surveillance within the area.
Locals have expressed concern about poor lighting making the park a dark place where unsavoury activities could occur.
Cr Bourke said that at present very few people used the park and this had led some to think it was not safe.
“Once the plan is implemented and the park is developed, everyone will use it,” he said.
Cr Heather Marcus said the bridge will be a great asset to give people access to the park.
“Wyndham Park is a treasure,” she said.
“Where else would you get a beautiful park so close to public transport and the CBD.
“Many residents have concerns over safety in the area but this will be overcome by careful planning.
“I’m very excited over the Wyndham Park plan.”
The master plan for Wyndham Park, developed by Coomes Consulting, considers many issues including a flora and fauna assessment.
This assessment suggests there is value in zoning the 4.3 hectare park into a conservation area, a natural recreation area and a passive recreation area.
The conservation area would cover the strip of vegetation closest to the river, between 25 and 30 per cent of the park.
This area extends across the river to the south side, on the lower slopes behind the Watton St shops.
A total of 148 species of flora, including 64 indigenous species and many considered to be of regional significance, were recorded in the park.
Fifty species of fauna were recorded, including the regionally significant Nankeen Night Heron.
While it has not been observed, there is also the potential for the nationally significant growling grass frog to inhabit the site.
The natural recreation area, about 15 per cent of the site, would be designed for walking, running and cycling on designated paths, as well as a dogs-on-leads section.
The passive recreation area, about 50 per cent of the site, was planned for more parkland activities than the bushland-oriented recreation in the other two zones.
The type of recreation activities appropriate to this area would be ball-play, a children’s playground, barbecues and picknicking.
The council approved the draft master plan, including the above measures, for Wyndham Park.
The plan will go to the stage of public exhibition.
The Wedge St pedestrian bridge is seen as a key entrance to the park.
Other recommended measures include:
•The establishment of an urban plaza at the river end of Wedge St.
•Investigation of placing a car park on VicTrack land at the west end of the site, subject to VicTrack consent, to provide some offset to the loss of parking in Wedge St.
•Consideration of a youth area being established near the western end of the park.
•The creation of an events area in the vicinity of the pedestrian bridge.
•The inclusion of public art as a key attraction to the park.
