Naracoorte Lucindale Council is pleased to announce the appointment of ‘Landscape It’ as the lead contractor for the $212,000 Frances Town Square Redevelopment.
'Landscape It' has undertaken landscaping and open space projects since 2008 and comes to this project with recent experience with neighbouring Victorian Councils.
Creating a shared recreational space for the Frances community and visitors to the township was a key recommendation from the Frances Masterplan 2019-2029. Council recently purchased additional land in Frances to facilitate an improved Town Square that is both usable and attractive.
The landscape design will be based on environmental and nature-based themes, with low-maintenance gardens, native grasses and drought resilient plantings. The area will also provide a walkway from Second and Fourth Street intersections, capturing the old Church pillars and leading to a gazebo with seating and a table.
Key new features of the design are:
- Timberwork throughout such as log seating and log steppers for children to play
- Stonework in the form of 'crazy pave', pebbles, boulders and recycled clay bricks
- Granulated sand pathways in a natural sand colour
- Garden beds and a dedicated central lawn area
- Street furniture such as picnic settings and benches
- Items for interest and attraction such as a nature play area, giant water hand pump, flagpole and information shelter
The project will be undertaken in two main stages and full construction will take between 6-8 weeks with a completion date of end of May 2021.
Stage 1 will involve demolition, clearing the area and construction of infrastructure. Stage 2 will be landscaping, garden beds and lawn.
Frances Progress Association Chair Mr Richard Pilmore said the project was a real community boost in the wake of a challenging year with COVID-19 and would make a big difference to the town, especially for the Frances General Store and Frances Hotel. He said it would give community members and visitors alike a nice place to sit and enjoy.
Background
The Frances Masterplan was developed through significant engagement and input from the Frances community which began in 2017.
The aims and objectives of the Masterplan are to provide clear and agreed direction for future development of Frances, and guidance as to the implementation of the Masterplan.
'Laimiga Design Studio' was engaged by Council to undertake collaboration of all the elements in the Masterplan, and the concept plan for the Town Square can be viewed on this page.
Comments
The commencement of the Frances Town Square Redevelopment is the next step in the realisation of the Frances Masterplan 2019-2029. Council is excited to see this project get underway and would love to hear your thoughts too - please complete the brief survey at www.yoursay.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au/frances-town-square-redevelopment
or send your comments to Council via PO Box 555, Naracoorte, 5271; or email council@nlc.sa.gov.au
To complete the survey, you'll need to register your details first by clicking on the sign-up banner on the Your Say consultation page.