COUNCIL will install two LED screens on the Swan Hill clock tower to encourage community gatherings thanks to a grant of almost $100,000 from the Victorian Government.
The 5.5 metres wide and two metres high screens will be installed on the north and south sides of the clock tower, and will be a place for community event advertisements, First Nations culture sharing and live broadcasts of events that are of state and national importance.
The $99,201 grant is part of the State Government’s $25 million council support package, which is designed to increase tourism, improve local infrastructure, strengthen businesses and empower volunteers.
“We’re supporting and celebrating our unique regional and rural towns, and this initiative empowers them to choose projects that highlight their local landmarks, businesses, and community assets,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said.
Swan Hill Rural City Council director of development and planning Michelle Grainger said the screens could show significant sports events.
“To be able to watch major soccer matches, watch the Olympics or Commonwealth Games, and encourage our community to gather, I think will be quite special,” Ms Grainger said. “Getting together to watch sport is something that Swan Hill does really well.”
The installation of the screens contributes to the revitalisation and modernisation of the clock tower precinct and offers the opportunity to create a town square during major national and state moments, she said.
“We could close Campbell Street and have the big screens up, have people eating and drinking and socialising in that area, and build on the town square by closing the main thoroughfare,” Ms Grainger said.
“We see it will build some civic pride, some community cohesion, and will give another opportunity for people to gather and share, in a modern way rather than just at a park.”
While it is too early in planning for completed guidelines on the use of the screens, Ms Grainger expects that it will be another mode of communication during major emergencies, while community groups will be able to advertise events.
“At the moment there’s lots of little A-frame signs that go in front of the clock tower, and we might not need those as we’ll put the events up on the screens,” she said.
First Nations peoples will also be able to screen significant moments and share culture via the screens.
Council expects that the project should be delivered by summer, subject to the timing of approvals and a smooth installation.
