Calling All Equine Groups

THERE is only one month for horse user groups to help plan the new facilities at White Park.

The White Park committee has been successful in making it to the second phase of consideration for a grant from the Hunter Infrastructure Funding and now need to flesh out the detail of their plans.

Lee Watts new Chair of the White Park committee encourages people to say what they want in the new design

Chair of the White Park committee, Councillor Lee Watts said it was imperative people contribute to the planning now, so the final design is usable for everyone.

“We want to make sure all horse users will be able to use the Park,” Cr Watts said.

“The first stage is looking at an enclosed arena, but we need to make sure it meets standards across all equine user groups, so that no one is disadvantaged by the final design,” she said.

“A survey will go out to all of the groups which use the Park and we encourage everyone to participate,” Lee Watts said.

An initial plan has been drafted in consultation with more than 20 user groups and is the starting point for discussion.

“I’m keen for users to understand this is not a final design, it is the starting point for our discussions and ideas,” said Cr Watts.

“We will also be in touch with nearby residents, because increasing activity at the Park may impact them so we want to make sure they are included in the planning,” Cr Lee Watts said.

The survey and initial design will be sent to user groups and posted on the Council’s website in the next few days.

White Park Possibilities

Mayor Wayne Bedggood said the possibilities at Scone White Park were exciting for the town.

“It will not only provide a venue for major sporting activities, but will generate income for the whole shire in the process by boosting the visitor economy,” said Mayor Bedggood.

“I am personally very excited that our funding applications are getting close to being at the top of the selection piles, so fingers crossed we can get across the line with at least one of them,” he said.

“It is our hope to get both state and federal funding which will allow us to build a great setup that will be user friendly for all forms of equestrian sports, not to mention a multitude of other activities,” Wayne Bedggood said.

Council has some funds set aside for the development of White Park, but government grants will mean construction can start much sooner.

The bypass will also have a major impact on the Park, so the Committee will also undertake further planning with the Roads and Maritime Services.