Improved Access to Sporting Facilities

16 January 2004

In a combined initiative, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Leeton Shire Council and Country Energy are taking steps to improve traffic safety, local amenities and public access to the sporting and recreational venues along Palm Avenue.

“The supply channel in front of the Leeton ovals, stadium, tennis courts and swimming pool is to be decommissioned and filled in.

“This is a great example of the three organisations working together to provide multiple benefits for the community, and I applaud the work of Councillors Burns and Ciccia which has helped bring this plan to fruition said Geoff Hipkins, Chief Executive of Murrumbidgee Irrigation.

“The benefits include much improved road traffic safety for the newly developed urban areas, public safety by removal of the channel from the busy sporting area and the overhead powerlines being placed underground prior to backfilling the channel, as well as visual improvements by enabling the area to look cared for, and improvements in water supply flexibility for those who use the channel.

“We expect a short disruption to supply around the end of the month as water is diverted and the pumps commissioned. We will notify all affected parties as soon as possible”, Mr Hipkins concluded.

The existing channel land will be Council land, and Brett Lee, Director of Engineering, Leeton Shire Council advised that the land would be used to extend the bike path.