The Tocumwal community had a vision – the revitalisation of the Tocumwal Foreshore; the link between the historic town of Tocumwal and the mighty Murray River.
Central to this vision was the development of a splash park, along with the development of a river view dining facility and streetscape works.
Berrigan Shire Council, in partnership with neighbouring councils Federation and Albury City, secured funding from the New South Wales Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund and additional funds from community groups with a total budget of $1,227,625.
Council used a ‘design and construct’ procurement method to deliver the splash park, working with the successful tenderer – Western Australian based Water Features by Design – from the initial concept to commissioning.
Water Features by Design worked with Council and the community to develop a truly unique splash park based on Tocumwal’s World War 2 history – when Tocumwal was home to the largest RAAF base in the southern hemisphere.
Features of the 500 square metre splash park include a giant custom made airplane (B24 Liberator) dumper bucket, a cockpit, water cannons, ground sprays, windsock and propeller showers, and spray bomb features, shade sales and in-ground LED lighting.
Berrigan Shire’s irrigation heritage is also recognised via a mini irrigation circuit, complete with a rock carved creek feature and retaining wall featuring fully interactive sluice gates, leading down to the splash park.
Opened one week before Christmas, use of the splash park over the summer greatly exceeded Council’s expectations and local retail and hospitality businesses have reaped the rewards.
