Published on Friday, 12 March 2021 at 1:23:29 PM
One of the City of Greater Geraldton’s oldest suburbs will see a massive increase in its footpath network thanks to an unexpected Australian Government grant for $1.3 million from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the 3.3kms of new footpaths being built on Flores Road and First, Third, Sixth and Seventh Streets would take one of the oldest suburbs in the City into the 21st century.
“Nearly 170 years ago in the 1850s, land called the Commonage, which is now known as Wonthella, was set aside for a new town site that never came to be,” he said.
“Following the 1891 gold rush and the extension of the railway into the Murchison goldfields, the Commonage was surveyed in 1896 and subdivided into ¼ acre blocks to build houses for railway workers but the village never came about.
“In 1927, despite there only being a bush track into town and no real facilities, the Commonage really took off when the fertile soil in the area and mild winter climate saw people buying up the cheap blocks to grow tomatoes which were sent to capital cities around the country and later to Singapore.
“Given the long standing history of this suburb, which lobbied many years for electricity and scheme water, it’s high time the area finally gets these long awaited and much needed footpaths.”
The LRCI Program was announced in May 2020 by the Australian Government to assist communities to manage the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Mayor Van Styn said he welcomed the funding, the only ‘recovery spend’ the City has received since the pandemic began.
“We are grateful for this funding as it demonstrates how Local and Federal Governments can effectively work together to recover from this health crisis,” he said.
Federal Member for Durack and Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the project was a great fit for the LRCI Program.
“It was our aim when announcing the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program that we would get shovels in the ground on local construction projects. Together with the Morrison Government I wanted to build our way out of the pandemic,” she said.
“The LRCI Program has accelerated local projects and helped support businesses and economic growth in Geraldton.
“Footpaths may not be sexy to some but they are essential to our modern way of life and provide safe and easy access to an individual’s destination. I am pleased the City of Greater Geraldton has put the LRCI money to good use and hope to see many people enjoying a leisurely stroll or perhaps an energetic run on these new and important footpaths.”
Construction of the new footpaths has already begun and is expected to be completed before the end of June 2021.
The contribution from the Australian Government of !1.1 million into this project will increase community safety by providing improved access to local enterprises.
PICTURE CAPTION: Aerial photo of Wonthella from 1952
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