Works to upgrade the area beside and behind the Peppin Heritage Centre in George St were completed this week, and the area reopened to the public.
Mayor Norm Brennan inspected the newly opened ramp from the upper river bank to the Riverfront Walk behind the Peppin Heritage Centre on Wednesday, and was delighted to see locals and visitors already utilising the area.
‘‘The improvements are most welcome,’’ he said.
‘‘What was really an unused and not overly attractive space has been converted to a welcoming area to take in the views of one of our most attractive areas in town.”
Cr Brennan said the previous concrete steps from the township wharf to the rear of the Peppin were quite steep and not user friendly to all, particularly those with mobility issues.
‘‘The new ramp not only looks fantastic it is also serviceable meaning everyone from mums and dads pushing prams to the elderly can now enjoy this section of the riverwalk,’’ he said.
“I was delighted to see people already enjoying the path.’’
In the area beside the Peppin, a new arbour has been completed to complement the sculptures along the riverwalk, including the famed ‘Reutilise’ ute sculpture and ‘The Shod’.
This stage of the development is part of the $1.8 million Federal Regional Growth Fund project which includes the reconstruction of two carparks (at the Ute On The Pole and IGA car parks), and the installation of a new floating boat pontoon which is yet to come.
Work began in early February and was completed by local contractor B Green Constructions Pty Ltd.
Cr Brennan said the riverfront revitalisation was designed to improve the relationship between the river and CBD, clearly positioning Deniliquin as a ‘river town’.
‘‘I encourage locals to get out and take a walk if they haven’t already,’’ Cr Brennan said.
‘‘It really is a lovely development and I congratulate our project manager, staff at Edward River Council and Bernie Green on a job well done.’’
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