Community input sought on merry-go-round precinct concepts

Geraldton’s iconic merry-go-round, made famous in Randolph Stow’s classic 1965 novel, The Merry-Go-Round in the Sea, will be the focal point of the proposed ‘Merry-Go-Round Precinct’ on the Geraldton foreshore.

After a series of safety reports identified the decades-old structure could cause serious injury to users and was not compliant with modern safety standards, the then City of Geraldton-Greenough had no option, as a duty of care to the public, to in 2010 retain the merry-go-round as a fixed structure. 

As the now City of Greater Geraldton had no preconceived designs for the new precinct, the Geraldton community was invited to a series of workshops in 2011 run by independent company, Greg Rowe and Associates, to develop a concept for the Merry-Go-Round Precinct.

City Director of Creative Communities, Andrea Selvey, said an independent consultant was engaged to ensure the engagement and development of the precinct was an open process and is seeking wider community input.

“The concept so far reflects the community’s interpretation of the Merry-Go-Round’s significance to the history of Geraldton with links to Randolph Stow,” she said.

“However, the City is seeking wider community feedback on the concept in addition to the workshops, before presenting to Council next month seeking Council approval to use the plan as a vision for this precinct.

“The concept plans will be available at Stow Gardens on the Foreshore near the Carnival on Australia Day for further consultation, and for people to make comment and prioritise the different elements of the design,” said Ms Selvey.

“The concept will be refined subject to additional community input, funding and when it goes to detailed design.”

Ms Selvey said the concepts developed so far have greatly exceeded the budget set aside for the precinct.

“Concepts developed by the community are initially estimated at $2.2 million, greatly exceeding budget and implementation of the concept is dependent on sourcing funding and may need to be staged,” she said.

The first workshop held in August last year invited participants to share their personal experiences with the area to identify what the merry-go-round meant to the community. A consultant landscape artist attended the second workshop and worked with participants to create a design proposal in accordance with the community’s ideas. At the third workshop three concept plans were presented. 

As the precinct will be oriented towards teenagers and only one teenager attended the workshops, the consultation was widened to include students at Geraldton Grammar School, Strathalbyn Christian College and Midnight Basketball to engage with young people and include their feedback.

About 80 young people aged between 12 and 16 were surveyed and feedback from this survey was incorporated into the final report.

“We really encourage people to look at the concepts and give their input and feedback on this important community precinct,” said Ms Selvey.

To view concepts or for further information please contact Chloe Opalinski, Community Engagement Officer 9956 6963 or chloeo@cgg.wa.gov.au