A park for the people, by the people

THE Foster Station Park is another step closer to becoming a reality, following the issue of a new licence from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, which now allows the Foster Station Park Site Development Plan to be put into action.

The Foster & District Community House & Learning Centre will be in the position of licensee of the land, which is owned by the DSE and managed on their behalf by the Great Southern Rail Trail Committee of Management.

Members of the Foster Station Park Management Group – Ernie Cayzer, Jeff Montague, Heinz Haselroither and Tony Hurst, met with Barbara Look of the South Gippsland Shire Council’s Community Strengthening Department last Friday to discuss the next steps in the progress of the park.

Included in the Group were members of The Corner Inlet Men’s Shed, which is very keen to have a bocce court and rotunda on the site. The Management Plan also indicates that a many other features can be incorporated into the 26 acre site, including an amphitheatre for music and theatre events, a community garden and orchard. A wetlands area, as well as being valuable to the ecology of the area, could be of interest to school groups.

A semi-commercial zoned area, adjoins the Station Park site along Lower Franklin Road, and could be developed to feature tourism-associated businesses, such as a café, bike hire/repair shop, farrier, or historic railway centre.

The potential is there – particularly with extension of the Rail Trail – to be a community hub, with perhaps a tourist information service, or venue for events or meetings held by community organisations or groups.

Corner Inlet Men’s Shed member, Jeff Montague said that the potential is enormous for the area to be developed into a complex offering much for locals and tourists alike.

Paul Greco, Health Promotions Officer for the South Gippsland Hospital said that the Foster Station Park is a great initiative and would do a great deal to promote health and activities in the area.

The time is now ripe for community organisations or individuals to express interest to further the ideas already in place, and to conceive of additional ventures within the Park.

The Foster Station Park plan can be viewed at the Foster & District Community House & Learning Centre, where options can be discussed, help and advice can be sought as to how to submit a proposal.

Comments are closed.