Dubbo Regional Council plans for restoring flood impacted Pioneer Park

Severe flooding events in 2022 caused significant damage to the highly utilised sporting venue Pioneer Park in Wellington with the walking trail and internal access road destroyed and significant erosion occurring along the riverbank of the Bell River.

As such, Dubbo Regional Council has engaged Soil Conservation Services who will undertake an assessment of the erosion and prepare plans so that stabilisation works can be put into effect. The works will be prioritised on the worst affected areas and are anticipated to start in about six months.

Dubbo Regional Council consulted with key community stakeholders on 10th February ahead of the restoration works.

Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council Mathew Dickerson explained Council’s vision for the repairs of the walking trail and internal road “Severe flooding over the past year has caused significant damage in Pioneer Park and we are ready to get the project underway. The project will restore access and function for this highly utilised sporting venue, and will be constructed in a manner that will limit future losses and damage to infrastructure.

“Rather than just replicating the same walkway and internal road, we are looking at options to redesign the facility to create a shared zone for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, bringing the pathway further into the complex to protect the riverbank and using more flood resistant materials than the usual granite or asphalt surfaces.”

Meetings are underway with Council’s design team to draft designs for the pathway and further information and advice will be shared with the community in a timely manner.

The Pioneer Park restoration project will be significantly funded from Australian and NSW Government grants.