The $6.5 million Grafton Waterfront Precinct project will connect the city to the Clarence River and revitalise the waterfront parkland with continuous shared path linking Prince Street to Clarence Street and footpaths connecting to the new bridge.
The endorsed redevelopment plan includes raising the levels, widening the path and rebuilding the flood levee at the end of Prince Street, for the purpose of creating a clear sense of arrival at the lookout point within the park.
“We ultimately wanted to provide the visitor with a ‘wow’ feeling upon arrival at the lookout point overlooking the mighty Clarence River,” Grafton Riverside Precinct Project Manager Andy Seaman said.
“The Indigenous Dreamtime story of Dirrangun has a strong connection to the Clarence River and will be told at this location.”
During design development of the Grafton Waterfront Precinct, the current location of the Boy Scout Memorial was considered not ideal.
“The Boy Scout Memorial pays tribute to a significant event in our history that is important to Grafton and the Scouting community,” Mr Seaman said.
“In its current location the memorial would sit lower than the adjacent path. Its new location would be considered more prominent.
“It will need to be relocated to enable all to access the memorial and avoid having to look down on the memorial.”
It was determined to relocate an electrical panel (in Stage 2), one of two Indigenous Dreamtime story signs and the Boy Scout Memorial, which commemorates the tragic events on 11 December, 1943, when 13 cubs drowned returning from Susan Island.
The new design has the memorial moved approximately 25 metres to a higher location within the quadrant of Memorial Park with a garden bed and adjacent seat, maintaining a prominent view to the river to which it holds significance.
“The input of the Grafton Scout’s Group has been sought through the CEO during the detailed design phase and before any works start.”
The waterfront area is currently fenced off and work is expected to continue throughout 2022.
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