Warialda’s All Abilities Park has been named as a finalist in the Engineering Excellence Awards, run by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia. Judges came to view the park last week, which is vying for the title to be the winner of the Design and Construction of a Local Government/Public Works Project less than $500,000 Award.
The project will be based on merit, rather than the size or cost of the park. The park was made possible from $240,000 from council and a NSW Government grant of $200,000, as well as community donations. Engineering Projects Coordinator with the Gwydir Shire Council Amy Beutel said that when the call for nominations for the awards came up, she instantly thought of the All Abilities Park project.
She said that the project was something that the Council and the entire community should be proud of. “I saw how hard everyone worked, and how well everyone worked together. The park involved a lot of collaboration across all council departments and with contractors. It was just such a big project, and fulfilled such an important community need that I felt like it deserved recognition outside of the shire,” she said.
It’s hoped that the community involvement and generosity should play in favour of the project’s application.
