City Wetlands
The Phoenix Park Wetlands are located in the City of Port Pirie. It is an area that is currently underutilised by the public and has been highlighted as a potential community project for youth training and education to establish a usable public space.
The main aims of the Phoenix Park Wetlands project are to:
- Create a recreational and educational environment for the benefit of the Port Pirie and surrounding communities and visitors;
- Re-develop the wetlands environment to include walking paths, recreational and educational spaces, signage, planting, furniture, boardwalks and artistic elements;
- Create a long term community facilitated project that instils a sense of ownership, reduces vandalism and increases support for the project.
Funding of $20,000 for the preparation of the Master Plan was provided by the Central Local Government from the Coastal Councils Program. In January 2015 Council officers subsequently engaged landscape architects, Greenhill, through a Request for Quote process for the preparation of the Master Plan.
The Master Plan has been developed and presented in the form of a handbook to allow ease of use for the range of community groups and members having input into the facilitation and execution of the Master Plan.
There is an opportunity to implement the Master Plan and develop the area as an eco-tourism precinct which will provide links between the CBD, Memorial Oval, Primewest shopping centre and the proposed developments along Wandearah Road.
A point to note is that while the Master Plan is titled the Phoenix Park Wetlands, the site is also known as the Wandearah Wetlands. There may be an opportunity as the Master Plan is implemented, particularly if funding is secured, to re-brand the wetlands.
The execution of the Master Plan aims to occur over a 5–10 year period. Early activities have included the planting of native plant seedlings on site as part of National Tree Day on 26 July 2015. Long term maintenance will also need to be planned to ensure a positive future for the space.
Council is currently seeking funding for Stage 1 of the project with a grant application lodged under the Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Futures Fund for $200,000 to accompany Council funding of $273,325.
Fact Sheet - Phoenix Park Wetlands Upgrade(425 kb)