Large scale infrastructure projects on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin might be on hold as the ACT government counts the cost of the Mr Fluffy clean-up, but Grevillea Park could soon be home to new facilities for rowing and triathlon activities.
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A master plan for the park includes construction of four new facilities for rowing, dragon boating and triathlon, each about 2000-2600 square metres in size, with capacity for major events to be held in the area.
A relocation of the Capital Lakes Rowing Club is planned to commence in early 2015, and other works including construction of boat launch sites are planned to take place over several years as land is released by the ACT government.
The new facilities will include administration areas and storage space for equipment for organisations basing their activities at Grevillea Park.
A community drop-in event to discuss the plans will take place on Wednesday evening at the park, on Menindee Drive in Barton.
Located on the northern foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin's East Basin, the park is about three kilometres from the city and Parliament House. It is accessible from Morshead Drive and Parkes Way as well as pedestrian and cycle paths.
Designated for public recreation, there is currently low use of the park, first designed as part of Walter Burley Griffin's 1918 plans for Canberra as "Grevillea Place". Currently more than 10 species of Grevilleas are present.
Facilities in the area include Clare Holland House, the Boat House by the Lake restaurant and several other structures including a boat launch site. Bordered by the Kings Avenue Bridge, Morshead Drive, Molonglo Reach and the lake, the area is mostly unleased territory land with one portion controlled by the National Capital Authority.
Construction of the facilities would "activate Grevillea Park and East Basin, increasing the use of both", according to the master plan prepared by Purdon Associates for the Economic Development Directorate. It follows a 2010 review which found recreation facilities at the lake were close to capacity.
"Buildings are to be recessive in the landscape through the use of dark colours and are to achieve a high degree of integration with the setting," the plan says. "High quality materials are to be used and may be a combination of concrete or block work, glass, steel, timber and colourbond."
The park's beach, described as "an integral part of the landscape character of East Basin and Grevillea Park", will be retained and revitalised. An existing boat launching facility will also be retained and appropriate lighting installed.
Development is planned to improve connectivity and complete the lake's cycle path loop. The master plan identifies major challenges for the development, including safe access and car parking and protection of the area's landscape.
The plan calls for boat storage, wash down areas, docks and amenities including toilets, kitchens and office space. A permanent dragon boating course could also be considered.
Most existing trees are likely to be kept, but some with disease or reaching the end of their lives will removed. Upgrades to bike paths and walking tracks are also planned and additional on-street parking areas will be created to meet demand.
A new shared zone for rigging and washdown of boats is to be created to the south of the recreational facilities, with some traffic calming devices installed.
Members of the public have until December 3 to offer feedback on the master plan.
