THE Nyah and Nyah West community will have an opportunity to shape the future of their towns, with Council set to endorse landscape masterplans for both precincts.
The masterplans aim to provide an improved connection to the river at Nyah, while modernising and improving the visual streetscape and functionality of the Nyah West community park.
While Swan Hill Rural City Council has expressed their desire to improve both precincts in a bid to benefit the local community, enhance tourism opportunities and support business growth within the region, they want community members to drive the project and provide the framework when it comes to design features and other key elements of the redevelopment.
Key design principles for the Nyah Riverfront site include revitalising open public space, creating a new community gathering space, building and improving spaces of cultural significance, showcasing the region’s history and looking at ways to encourage more visitors to the region.
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, councillors voted to move forward with the redevelopment plans.
Councillor Les McPhee said public consultation and community engagement would help shape the concept plan.
“It’s about going to the community to make sure we get what they want,” Cr McPhee said.
“It’s their community, they’re the ones that live in it day to day so we have to listen to what they have to say and this is a starting point.”
Councillor Bill Moar said the landscape masterplan was part of a broader plan to better link riverfront communities within the shire.
“More broadly the enhancement of our riverfronts in all our towns along the river, it’s such a great thing to see,” Cr Moar said, noting the project would enhance tourism potential for not only Nyah but other riverfront towns, including Robinvale, Boundary Bend and Wood Wood.
“It will enable so many things, and hopefully the trail running the entire length of the Murray, these points at which we have along the river, will be greatly enhanced and provide facilities for people travelling that trail.”
