Kingston District Council’s community is set to benefit from several funding announcements which will see a wide range of community and infrastructure projects for all ages, interests and abilities delivered over an 18-month period.
Council’s chief executive Nat Traeger revealed funding announcements and decisions worth over $1m had been made this week.
Ms Traegr said council finalised its intended work schedule for Phase 3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program at its monthly meeting held last week.
“This funding is provided by the Australian Government to support local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic,”she said.
Mayor Kay Rasheed was pleased to confirm a significant portion of the $680,000 available would go towards the installation of a pump track in Kingston’s Apex Park.
“Our youth have been asking for a Pump Track for a long time and we are delighted to be able to now provide that for them through this funding opportunity,” she said.
“There is already a skate park and basketball ring in the park and this new facility will add another exciting and physical activity for our kids within the precinct.”
Mayor Rasheed said other projects for Kingston would include more street bins for public areas, further footpath development and improvements to direction and tourism signage, such as the industrial estate and beach access locations.
“We are also planning on sealing the access road to the Faun trackway at Johnson Avenue and installing more solar lights on the walking trail on East Terrace (between Gough and Young Streets),” she said.
Mayor Rasheed said Cape Jaffa residents and ratepayers could look forward to a significant irrigation upgrade, the development of a tourist drive, additional street bins and improving the access at the barbecue shelter and beach area.
“I am also delighted to confirm we will install accessible beach matting for people living with a disability, which will be in the location of our new disability access cabin at the Kingston Foreshore Caravan Park, stretching through the dunes and onto the beach,” she said.
Ms Traeger said a further $10,000 for more public art events would be added to the upcoming Fringe on Tour event.
The Sea and Sand Carnival will be held from March 3-6, with a range of fun and fringe like activities on offer.
Ms Traeger confirmed the funding, which is being provided through the Federal Government Regional Arts Fund, Regional Arts Australia and Country Arts SA, would see an interstate sand sculptural artist developing a large-scale display in the Lions Park.
This will be supported by artist Marciano Arents, who will install an external mural on the brick façade of the Lions Park rotunda. Mr Arents is not new to Kingston, having installed the magnificent large-scale mural on the wall of Pinkerton’s Butchery in August 2021.
Mayor Rasheed said in other funding news council had been awarded $400,000 to deliver three projects in the wake of the Keilira Bushfire.
The Federal Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program will deliver a $250,000 precinct upgrade at Keilira, including clubhouse type facilities inclusive of toilets, continuation of the Community Resilience and Wellbeing Participation program until June 2023 and new mobile boosters for CFS and council vehicles to assist with communication during emergency response situations.
“Keep your eyes peeled on our council office where you will also see a new electronic, interactive warning and information kiosk for use by community members and visitors alike,” Mayor Rasheed said.
