Katherine Town Council is rejuvenating the area around the Katherine River and its Hot Springs.
The genesis for the project came from the community and business group’s desire to see some improvement to the ‘tired’ infrastructure around the Hot Springs.
After close community and stakeholder consultation, it was decided a series of recreational, tourism, experiential, environmental and community projects would be pursued to help reconnect the Katharine community to the river corridor.
The plan will be completed over two stages and includes development at street level, along the connecting stair transition space and the spring area itself.
The undertaking uses organically designed elements inspired by the river location and sustainable design principles.
Other elements of the venture include walking and cycling paths/trails/exercise stations and the entry into the town.
The street level will incorporate a pop-up coffee shop, bicycle hire and shaded playgrounds while the middle levels will have terraced grassed spaces for picnics and performances.
Katherine Town Council has been successful in obtaining grants to cover the first stage of the revitalisation totalling $600,000. The first stage of the project will be completed by November 2016.
The end product is the rejuvenation of a unique and largely undiscovered ‘gem’ that will allow the community to better enjoy the natural facility and general additional income to the businesses in town by extending tourism stays in the region.
