Wharf shelter opens in latest development on Murray Bridge’s riverfront
The shelter's design reflects the region's Ngarrindjeri and European heritage while providing a modern look for the area.
This post was originally published behind Murray Bridge News’ paywall. Paywalled posts are unlocked four weeks after publication. Can’t wait that long? Subscribe here.
A new shelter at Murray Bridge’s wharf has been unveiled.
Valued at $1.5 million, the shelter is intended to be a meeting place and attraction for locals and tourists alike.
Murray Bridge council CEO Michael Sedgman said the shelter represented a “celebration” of Indigenous and European cultures.
“We undertook a co-design process with the Ngarringdjeri people,” Mr Sedgman said at a ceremony on Friday morning.
“The shelter resembles the European history of the factories that were once in the area, while the Aboriginal artwork from Kevin Kropinyeri highlights the dreaming story of the blue wren.”
The council’s assets and infrastructure general manager, Heather Barclay, said the structure’s cultural component was an important aspect of it.
“The fact that we are able to do this with a modern form is fantastic … it’s a great mash-up,” she said.
As a result of efforts from federal MP Tony Pasin, the federal government contributed $900,000 to the project through the second and third rounds of the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program, along with some funds for bushfire recovery.
More than $6.5 million worth of improvements have been made at Sturt Reserve in recent years.
“It’s not just (this) facility that’s important, they connect to the broader precinct, the redevelopment of Adelaide Road, the rowing club, the war memorial … they continue the statement of pride of the people of Murray Bridge and its surrounds,” Mr Pasin said.
“I look forward to the opportunity, post-career, to travel the electorate as a tourist and see all the ways I have been able to contribute to the capital in the region.”
Mayor Brenton Lewis was equally optimistic about the continuation of developments in Murray Bridge.
“The River Murray of the future has a solid plan,” he said.
“With the opening of the new Bridgeport Hotel, investors becoming involved with the silos, and the riverfront being redeveloped, there is a lot of promise for the area.
“We have arrived.”
Mr Sedgman said the next stage of redevelopment would focus on the refurbishment of Murray Bridge’s old timber wharf and the replacement of the lower timber wharf, which would commence later this year.
You can help keep local stories like this one free for everyone to read. Subscribe to Murray Bridge News today and support your independent, locally owned news service, plus get access to exclusive stories you won’t find anywhere else, from just $5 a month.
