Koondrook improvements, young achiever recognised
Published on 06 January 2021
The redevelopment of Koondrook’s central business district and Gannawarra Shire Council’s Aquatics Officer are in the running for an annual local government award.
The three stages of the Koondrook CBD Redevelopment is a finalist in the Community Assets & Infrastructure Initiative (projects $2.5m and under) category at the 2021 LGPro Awards for Excellence, with Council’s Aquatics Officer, Kieran Schneider a finalist for the Young Achiever Award.
“This is the third consecutive year Council has been recognised as a finalist in these awards, which highlight the best local government practices in Victoria,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.
“This announcement follows on from the Leitchville Community Garden being recognised as a finalist in the 2020 awards, as well as the Sustainability Gannawarra initiative taking out the Sustainability Initiative at the 2019 awards.”
Undertaken during 2019 and the first half of 2020, the Koondrook CBD Redevelopment involved improvements to Arubuthnot Street, Main Street and Tramway Place to provide linkages between the town’s central business district, Koondrook Retreat and Koondrook Wharf.
“The Koondrook CBD Redevelopment, which is the highlight of the Koondrook – Victoria’s Nature Based Tourism Destination project, ensures minimum pedestrian disruption and safe access at times when the banks of the Murray River at Koondrook host major events. These include arts performance and the biennial RiverDaze music festival, which attracts international artists and visitors,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“Stage 1 of these works, completed in late 2018, resulted in the construction of new road infrastructure along Arbuthnot Street for accessibility, traffic calming and controlling purpose, whilst Stage 2 of the project, which occurred during 2019, focused on the section of Main Street which includes the town’s general store, historic tramway station and future home of the Koondrook All Abilities Playground.
“Stage 3 of these works, completed in June 2020, improved road and traffic calming measures along Tramway Place, linking the Koondrook Retreat to the Koondrook township.”
Meanwhile, Council’s Aquatics Officer, Kieran Schneider is a finalist in the Young Achiever Award category, which recognises local government staff members aged 30 years and under.
“In only 14 months in the role of Aquatics Officer at Gannawarra Shire Council, Kieran has led a significant change program with aquatic services within the Gannawarra,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“Kieran has built local partnerships with swimming clubs and groups and developed risk management processes to ensure Council’s compliance with industry guidelines.
“Furthermore, Kieran’s response to recommend a management change of the service during the onset of a global pandemic has shown strong leadership and direction for management and Council to make key strategic decisions.”
Category winners will be announced during the final day of the 2021 LGPro Annual Conference, occurring online from 23-25 February 2021.
ABOVE: The Koondrook CBD Redevelopment and Gannawarra Shire Council's Aquatics Officer, Kieran Schneider are finalists in the 2021 LGPro Awards for Excellence.