Shire to seek funding approval for Wee Waa community park

DYLAN SMITH

Narrabri Shire Council will seek the Department of Regional NSW’s approval to amend a funding agreement and enable the development of a community park on the corner of Rose and Church streets in Wee Waa.

The council had originally received funding through round nine of Resources for Regions to develop a community centre at the former site of the Wee Waa NAB branch.

The council previously reported that construction costs for such a facility would exceed the allocated funding.

Members of the community had also suggested amending the plans as similar facilities already existed in Wee Waa.

A new concept for the site would see it transformed into a space that could recognise Wee Waa’s history while providing an open area for community gatherings and commemorative events.

An initial artist rendering of the space, tabled at the meeting, shows that it could include a stage surrounded by a grassed area including trees and flag poles.

Toilets, a community shed, kiosk space and a shelter area with table settings could also form part of the new precinct.

General manager Eloise Chaplain said while the council would ultimately need the department’s approval to amend the project agreement, it would still meet the original scope of being a community meeting area.

“I’m very optimistic. The scope is similar in terms of how we wrote the original funding application,” she said.

Earlier in the discussion, council director of infrastructure delivery Warren Faulkner explained that constructing an actual community centre at the site would cost an additional $1.4m.

Mayor Darrell Tiemens told the meeting the focus of the precinct would be a war memorial park adjacent to the town’s monument.

Cr Tiemens said community groups and residents had written to the council voicing concern with the initial community centre concept and the potential of it turning into a white elephant.

The corner block was the former home of the Wee Waa NAB branch and is opposite the town’s war memorial.

“The comments were made by community members saying Wee Waa has a number of other buildings that can be used,” he said.

“The RSL approached us about this being very much focused around creating an open space.

“An interesting thing that happened, once we demolished the old NAB building and had it as an open space, the community suddenly saw how wonderful it was actually having the open space there.

“This is really going to be Wee Waa’s space and very much a memorial park.”

Cr Ethan Towns moved that the council endorse the development of a community park in lieu of a community centre building, subject to an amended project agreement being approved by the Department of Regional NSW. This was seconded by Cr Ryan Whillas.

“Looking at the concept art … it’s great to see that everything that was talked about when different community groups were walking through has actually been put into here,” Cr Towns said.

“It’s great to see that the council is listening to what Wee Waa needs and the type of space they want.”

Cr Towns said a community park would be a great asset to Wee Waa.

Cr Greg Lamont queried the process of changing the project and the Resources for Regions funding that had been received.

“Wee Waa is very fortunate to have council indicate that Wee Waa can be enhanced by this money,” he said.

“It goes to our shire. Not individually into Boggabri, Gunnedah, Narrabri … or wherever it goes.

“Council made the decision for this to occur.”