KINGSTON COMMUNITIES TO BENEFIT FROM SEVERAL GRANT WINDFALLS
MEDIA RELEASE - 18 FEBRUARY 2022
Photo: Example of sand sculpture created by Australia’s leading sand sculpting company, Sandstorm Events. A live art display project that will be delivered at the Sea & Sand Carnival in March.
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 a 12-18 month period.
Chief Executive Officer Nat Traeger indicated that funding announcements and decisions worth over $1m had been made this week. The Council finalised its intended work schedule for Phase 3 of the Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program at its monthly meeting held on Tuesday. Ms Traeger said “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.”
Mayor Kay Rasheed was thrilled to confirm that a significant portion of the $680k 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”. “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”.
The Mayor stated that other projects for Kingston will 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 & Young Streets)” she said.
Cape Jaffa residents and ratepayers can look forward to a significant irrigation upgrade, the development of a tourist drive, additional street bins and improving the access at the BBQ shelter and beach area.
The Mayor went on to say “I am also delighted to confirm we will instal 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.”
Ms Traeger also spoke about a further $10k for more public art events to be added to the upcoming Fringe on Tour event. The Sea & Sand Carnival will be held from Thursday 3 March to Sunday 6 March, with a range of fun and fringe like activities on offer. Ms Traeger confirmed the funding, which is through the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, Regional Arts Australia and Country Arts SA will see an interstate sand sculptural artist developing a large-scale sand sculpture in the Lions Park. This will be supported by artist Marciano Arents, who will be installing 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.
In other funding news, the Council has been awarded $400k to deliver three projects in the wake of the Keilira Bushfire. The Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program will see a $250k 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. Mayor Kay Rasheed said “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.”
The Mayor & CEO were united in their commitment to seeing all of the projects come to fruition, but noted that ongoing demands on goods and services could cause delays and that such a large amount of projects, in addition to usual Council programs and projects would stretch their internal resources who will be charged with the responsibility to make everything happen in a reasonably short timeframe.
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Contact:
Nat Traeger
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | KINGSTON DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 0408 809 712 | E: ceo@kingstondc.sa.gov.au