$3 million upgrade to Kensington Gardens Reserve

A key focus of mine in the lead up to the election was to upgrade our community infrastructure, with a commitment to deliver $3 million to upgrade the Kensington Gardens Reserve. These funds have since been delivered, enabling the revitalisation of this much-loved community asset.

The Kensington Gardens Reserve project is an example of local, state and federal government working constructively together to deliver transformative environmental and recreational benefits at the community level, without disturbing the rich history and character of our community assets.

This project includes construction of a functional wetland and environmental improvements to Stonyfell Creek, with works having already commenced in late September 2020, including:

• Replacing the unsafe artificial lake with a functional wetland to treat urban water pollution entering Stonyfell Creek.
• Visual, recreational and environmental improvements to Stonyfell Creek and the surrounding environment.
• Eight reconfigured tournament standard tennis courts with lighting available for club and public use.
• Nature play features and biodiversity education elements.

The project also involves a range of Kaurna initiatives, including interpretive signage, public art creation including sculptures for the nature play space, and establishing a place of recognition.

Amidst the Coronavirus, I was proud to be a part of lobbying the State Government to deliver the Burnside Council a further $850k through the State Government’s Open Spaces and Places for People program. These funds will provide for the installation of a 1.7km shared walking/ running track, and two additional bridges to enable the walking track to be installed as well as a disability accessible board walk over the wetlands.