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Huon Hill Parklands officially opened

Huon Hill Parklands officially opened
City of Wodonga Councillor, Mr John Watson and parklands Chairman, Mr Cliff Swatton opening Huon Hill Parklands
 

parklands Albury Wodonga together with the City of Wodonga officially opened one of the region’s newest and most magnificent regional parklands on Friday 24 October 2003.  To date, the presence of this regional parkland has been known only to a small part of the community, with its existence being spread by word of mouth.  

 

Huon Hill Parklands currently encompasses approximately 300ha of public open space which was transferred from the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation to parklands Albury Wodonga to be developed for recreation and conservation purposes.

 

Looking south towards the High Plains of Mount Bogong
The parklands, incorporating some of the highest areas in near Albury Wodonga, provide absolutely stunning, 360degree panoramic views over Wodonga, Albury, Lake Hume, Mt Bogong and the Murray and Kiewa River valleys.   In fact, visitors have commented to parklands staff that they are some of the best views in Australia.

 

The benefits of this parkland for the community will include:          

·          Aesthetic – the visual and other senses experience at the parklands;

·         Educational – the provision of regional parkland close to the major cities, providing an environmental classroom, and for visitors to experience  the environment;

·          Recreational – providing opportunities for healthy active and passive pursuits;

·          Ecological – ongoing developmental, maintenance and management of the natural habitat;

·         Community stewardship – involvement of the community in developing and enhancing the parklands; and

·         Financial – providing a magnet for visitors, tourists and residents in providing an excellent destination.

 

Cr John Watson, City of Wodonga and Cliff Swatton, Chairman of parklands Albury Wodonga opened the parklands in a short ceremony on the summit.  A welcome to Huon Hill Parklands, on behalf of traditional owners by Allan Murray from the Mungabareena Aborigibnal Corporation was made on the day.

 

Looking down towards the picnic area from the summit
An important part of the development of this parkland was a land swap with the Watson Family, for the area where picnic area is now located.  In addition to this, the Watsons donated a number of large timber posts for the construction of the distinctive picnic shelter. 

 

As part of the future development of nearby housing estates surrounding the parklands, a large amount of land is in the process of being transferred to regional parklands, once again on behalf of the Watson family.  Once this transfer has taken place, the total parkland area the three summits and land above the 220metre contours line.

 

The early development of the facilities within the parklands was a community based partnership between, the City of Wodonga, the Rotary Clubs of West Wodonga, Wodonga and Belvoir-Wodonga and parklands.

 

Huon Hill summit before works in 2000
The Rotary Clubs undertook a great deal of work in constructing the lookouts, shelters and tracks, with assistance given by a number of local businesses.  The lookouts provide for access to vista over Wodonga, the Kiewa Valley and Hume Dam.

 

Early funding was sourced from Business Victoria through the Community Support Fund for the total of $50,000.  The three majors partners then provided and additional $25000 of support in cash or ‘in kind’ support.

 

Huon Hill summit showing works
Regional Skills, through the Work for the Dole program, have undertaken extensive fencing, both demolition and construction within the parklands area. 

 

The National Industrial Skills Training Centre also undertook road works as part of a accredited heavy machinery course in 2001.

 

Huon Hill Parklands is destined to become a major tourist attraction to the region, and a great asset for the community.  In the future a series of walking tracks will be constructed to link the three summits.