Northern Tablelands MP and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall has announced $2 million in NSW Government funding for a visionary Bingara tourist and cultural project Big River Dreaming ‘The Water Weaving Way’ to attract more visitors to the beautiful small community.
Seeking to enhance Bingara’s prime position on the Gwydir River, the project will integrate the town’s attractive and renowned waterfront, recreational facilities, pool and Aboriginal heritage into one cohesive tourism destination.
Bingara Anglers President Stuart Lanagan, Mayor John Coulton, Anglers Club committee member Steve Apthorpe, Friends of Myall Creek committee member Kelvin Brown, New England Regional Art Museum curator Rachel Parsons, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, a Friends of Myall Creek committee member and Gwydir Shire Council General Manager Max Eastcott.
Mr Marshall made the announcement on the banks of the river last Wednesday week along with Gwydir Shire Council Mayor John Coulton and representatives from council, Bingara Swimming Club, Bingara Anglers Club and the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial Committee, who have led the charge with the innovative tourist plan.
He praised the community and Gwydir Shire Council, which is contributing $700,000 to turn the plans into reality.
“This project truly is unique to Bingara, with the pedestrian pathway and cycleway connecting different elements and sites in the town, from future projects which will educate and promote a sustainable future, to profound moments of our shared history by incorporating the Myall Creek site into the project, which will now be accessible via a cycleway” Mr Marshall said.
“Bingara is already a popular spot for travellers, especially caravaners, to stop for while, but this project will catapult the town into a must-see destination, where the past, present and future are all connected physically, and offer locals and visitors a mix of activities and experiences at each stop.”
Work on the project will start almost immediately with pedestrian and cycle pathways constructed, ‘weaving’ along the river front and through the town, visiting established sites such as The Living Classroom, Cunningham Park and the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial Site, as well as taking in new projects and developments.
Mr Marshall said a new children’s splash park would be built at the pool complex and a new kiosk, which will serve tourists for extended hours, as well as those using the pool.
“There will also be a lot of new infrastructure work along the banks of the river to make it even more accessible for people of all ages to jump in to cool off, drop in a line or to camp in stunning surrounds,” he said.
“Gwydir Shire Council has worked hard to bring this vision to life and has the enthusiastic support over a dozen local groups.
“New projects in the town will include a Wellness and Interpretative Centre which will provide an educational experience for schools, locals and tourists alike, Mountain bike rest stops, better river access and a pontoon to facilitate water sports, a Splash pool and new or improved river trails.
“I cannot wait to see the Water Weaving Way completed as I am very confident it will ensure Bingara’s place on the ‘must see’ destinations across country NSW.”
