Council To Investigate Richmond Park Site For Multipurpose Centre

Published on 03 July 2024

Snowy Valleys Council has approved a new location at Richmond Park, Tumut for its Multipurpose Centre building.

At their June 2024 meeting Councillors resolved to adopt the Richmond Park site opposite the Tumut Bowling Club (unused bowling greens) as the preferred Multipurpose Centre site and have instructed staff to undertake further feasibility and Geotech investigations.

Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Works Duncan Mitchell said following the completion of the Geotech investigations and final feasibility works an updated cost estimate would be done.

“If Geotech investigations and the updated cost estimate is favourable work will then commence on the creation of a detailed concept design for the preparation of a Development Application,” Mr Mitchell said.

During the Development Application process, interested stakeholders and community members will have the opportunity to provide feedback.

“The project will go through Council's normal Development Application processes which will allow residents to review the application and make submissions,” Mr Mitchell confirmed.

Back in 2021 Council received a grant of $10.7M from the Federal Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund (BLERF) for the development, design and construction of a Multi-Purpose Centre in Tumut which has sufficient capacity to double as an Evacuation Centre in times of emergency.

The project has seen significant investment in design development over the past 3 years.

Initial planning and design works have been undertaken on two proposed sites, initially on Snowy Mountains Highway at the top of the Bull Paddock, and more recently at Lockeridge Park opposite the Tumut Hospital.

Following feasibility and Geotech investigations both sites have been deemed unsuitable within budget constraints and council staff have undertaken investigations into a number of alternative sites that had previously been considered by Councillors but not pursued, including the Richmond Park site.

The majority of the Richmond Park site is currently leased by Crown Lands to the Tumut Bowling Club and Recreation Club Ltd and following discussions with the Bowling Club Council has also resolved to take over the land as Crown Land managers.

Construction of the Centre is estimated to commence prior to June 2025.

-ENDS-