One of Morwell’s hidden natural gems is set to receive $140,000 in amenity upgrades after years of vandalism, fire damage and dwindling support.
The Crinigan Bushland Reserve at the edge of the town will receive a new fire-proof, tin compost unisex toilet block, as well as upgrades to landscaping and its car parking precinct, following the State Government funding announcement on Friday.
Crinigan Bushland Reserve Committee of Management president, Kate Holz said for years the committee had found it difficult to hold functions or conduct volunteer work at the reserve after ongoing vandal attacks and a fire destroyed the toilet block.
“It’s really crippled us in a lot of ways, because students would come in on a weekly basis to do volunteer work, and we haven’t been able to have them in, so funding has been a huge bonus and very unexpected,” Ms Holz said.
“It will be so beneficial. To know that there’s a toilet, to know that we can bring children and grandchildren and just open up a whole aspect of events that we can start to carry out at the reserve.”
Member for Morwell Russell Northe said he was thrilled to announce the funding.
“It’s a very popular destination, but one would have to say the current amenity is modest at best, so these amenities are very important,” Mr Northe said.
He said the upgrade was a great win for the local community and visitors to Morwell.
“It’s a reserve that’s close to the township of Morwell and it’s very well utilised by the local community, whether people use it for exercise purposes, walking the dog, socialising or visitation by school groups,” he said.
The funding announcement was made during a National Tree Day event at the Kernot Hall Lake precinct.
