Euroa community is activated for summer

21 Dec 2020

Euroa community is activated for summer

A town beach in inland Victoria may sound impossible, but it is exactly what popped up in Euroa overnight.

Strathbogie Shire Council, DESIGNEuroa and the Euroa Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to deliver two new community activations stations designed to deliver summer holiday fun.

Euroa now has a town beach on the street outside the old nursery site and a pocket park outside the post office.

Strathbogie Shire Mayor Cr Chris Raeburn said the aim was to create new outdoor spaces where the community could gather, socialise and enjoy outdoor dining.

“This is a fantastic example of the community working together,” Cr Raeburn said.

“We’ve seen people come out in force, firstly to support the street party last Friday night and now to contribute to the streetscape activation program.”

“Over the summer holidays, Binney Street will be a place to do your shopping and to take time out with the kids and friends”.

DESIGNEuroa’s Edwina Thompson said the two installations provided an opportunity for the community to interact on the street in new and fun ways.

“This maybe listening to some music at the pocket park or wriggling their toes in the sand at the town beach,” Ms Thompson said.

“We hope locals and visitors will sit and share a drink or a chat in these colourful and welcoming spaces, designed to bring a smile to people’s faces after the difficulties of the past year.”

She praised all the volunteers who have helped install the summer streetscape.

“Enjoy it while it’s there – it’s a temporary installation – so make sure you invite your friends to meet at the town beach,” she said.

The pocket park and town beach were initiatives funded through the Victorian Government’s Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package.

Council received $250,000, with the direction from government that it could be passed on to businesses in the form of reducing or waiving permit fees or invested in infrastructure such as streetscaping and lighting.

Strathbogie Shire set registered premises fees at zero in its 2020/21 Budget, so used the funding to focus on community activation.

“By this we mean creating new outdoor dining spaces – and safe spaces for our community to gather, socialize and enjoy outdoor dining,” Cr Raeburn said.

Town beach