Pinnaroo planning to build Australia’s next big tourist attraction
Australia’s long love affair with oversized tourist attractions is world famous and Pinnaroo reckons it should be home to our next big build. And it’s got some plans drawn up.
SA News
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Kingston is known for being home to “Larry” the Big Lobster and Gumeracha is known for its Big Rocking Horse, but the Mallee town of Pinnaroo could be known as the next big thing.
It is all part of the Southern Mallee District Council’s vision to revitalise the heart of Pinnaroo.
The Pinnaroo Village Green Masterplan, which was endorsed by council, was put together by Adelaide-based architecture and planning company Wax Design.
It includes a long-term plan to create a recreation, visitor and community hub on under-utilised rail corridor land in the town centre.
The seven-stage plan includes a ‘big’ attraction – such a sculpture with a lookout and lighting.
Along with the ‘big’ attraction, the plan also includes walking and cycling trails, a bike track, skate facilities, new playgrounds, refurbishment of the town’s war memorial, a civic square, new seasonal wetland, improved access and parking for caravans, RVs and large vehicles and substantial landscaping.
More than 80 per cent of respondents to community consultation conducted in March offered their support for the vision.
Southern Mallee Deputy Mayor Paul Ireland said while the ‘big’ item had been polarising in the community, with some loving it and others not so keen on the idea, there were still plenty of suggestions put forward on what the town’s ‘big thing’ could be including a Mallee Fowl or a vanilla slice.
“Due to the town’s horticultural production, the idea of a big potato was put forward,” he said.
“Wheat sheafs were another consideration and there’s been plenty of interest in a kangaroo (as a play on the town’s name Pinnaroo.
”A big pie was another suggestion, because the bakery here in town is great.
“We’re trying to work out something that captures the spirit of Pinnaroo.”
Mr Ireland said with many travellers passing through the region each year, council was keen to ensure Pinnaroo was a ‘must stop’ on people’s journeys.
“We already have a lot of heritage attractions, like our two hotels and institute,” he said.
“(The new additions) will help us be seen as an attractive place to stop.”
Mr Ireland said the masterplan for the town was a multi-year project.
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Work on Stage 1 of the plan will be funded from the $500,000 council received from the second round of the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program.
Stage one include new street trees, improving the entry plaza and landscaping around the
town’s museum, formalising the RV/Caravan and large vehicle pull in and turn around area, adding a pull in bay for short-term parking and drop-offs and a large vehicle access road and parking area.
A start date is yet to be set, but council is keen to progress Stage 1 as soon as possible.
Council is also pursuing other grant funding opportunities to cover the costs of future stages of the plan.