Water damage: Flood water damaged the fenceline of the Wirima Playspace, which was only opened earlier this year after many years in the planning.
Rochester’s prized Wirima Playspace will be among the many community projects that require significant attention as flood waters recede and the major clean up program begins.
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Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh snapped these photos of the playspace and outdoor pool in Rochester when he was given a tour of the damage on Sunday afternoon by emergency services.
Mr Walsh said it was a shock to see the devastation to not only the community facilities, but the wider community.
On Monday he was awaiting confirmation of a visit by Leader of the Victorian Opposition, Matthew Guy, to Rochester.
Mr Walsh was responsible for taking some photographs for the Campaspe News on the weekend, before the clean up had begun.
The committee that was chiefly responsible for planning and putting together the park was only recognised in January this year as Campaspe Shire’s Community Group of the Year.
The committee was formed by five women: Eliza Watson, Heather Darbyshire, Jeanne Aitken, Naomi Riordan and Rebekah Hocking.
The Wirima Playspace was heavily impacted by the floods, although fencing prevented debris from entering the park, on the corner of Moore St and the Northern Hwy.
The group received funding through the Murray-Darling Basin Grants program, and received assistance from the Rochester Business Network and Campaspe Shire Council to complete the project.
Not far to the west of the playspace, flood waters ravaged the outdoor swimming pool, which will need significant attention prior to any opening in late November.
This year the pool entry has been made free and community groups were planning to stage regular events at the council-owned pool.
Dumping ground: Debris, including several bins, landed on the fenceline of the park at the end of the Gillies Street business district.
What a mess: This year the Rochester outdoor pool was expected to be a major centre of activity, with Campaspe Shire’s decision to make entry free to the facility.
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