A PLAN to enhance and develop Robinvale’s riverfront will be the making of the town, Swan Hill councillors were told this week.
Councillors agreed to adopt the Draft Robinvale Riverfront Masterplan 2022 which proposes a new suite of public amenities, including new shade structures, picnic tables and seating, barbecues and drinking fountains.
Councillors were told that consideration of the masterplan included highlighting Aboriginal heritage and sensitive zones, highlighting the cultural diversity character of Robinvale, creating a better connection between the town and the riverfront, promoting open spaces and annual events and improving the riverfront amenities and connection to the Murray River.
An Aboriginal and Historical Heritage Assessment was undertaken to inform and support the masterplan design due to the majority of the Robinvale riverfront being within an area of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Sensitivity.
Councillors were told certain areas would be protected from all use and designated as no-impact zones.
A key recommendation from the masterplan is that local Traditional Owner Groups be invited to assist with the design and development of any Aboriginal Cultural Heritage material and consulted to determine the most suitable locations to install/integrate those on site.
Cr Bill Moar said the draft masterplan was “a fantastic bit of progress” for Robinvale.
“Ever since I have been on council I have realised that Robinvale’s riverfront is an absolute diamond in the rough and this project will certainly polish that diamond,” Cr Moar said.
“It will really set it up for the future, not only just for tourism, but for the aspects of livability and make the most of that natural asset there, it is just a glorious piece of river and a glorious place for the local residents to be and for tourists,” he said.
“We’ve got the process under way and we will get, hopefully at the end of this process … we’ll get a blueprint to go forward to get funding and it will really, really be the making of Robinvale.
“We look forward to going ahead in partnership to get this happening.”
Cr Les McPhee said the proposal was “well overdue”.
“I firmly believe, and have always advocated, that Robinvale has the best riverfront along the Murray River,” he said.
“We should make sure that we use that to the best ability we can, this masterplan will give us that opportunity.
“It’s going to be a big job overall, but it can be staged … so that we can work on each area individually.”
Councillors were told plans to activate the Robinvale riverfront would contribute to increasing the region’s livability, improve the physical activity, events of community members and support local residence health and well-being.
About 100 key stakeholders and community members have provided input into the plan to date and further consultation of the draft plan is expected to occur.
