Narrandera Shire Council receives Local Government Award for Lake Talbot Water Park redevelopment

Narrandera Shire Council has been announced as the winner of the 2021 NSW Local Government Professionals Excellence Award, for ‘Asset and Project’ budget over $1.5 million and population under 100,000 for the Lake Talbot Water Park redevelopment.

This prestigious award acknowledges the significant works carried out at the facility including:

• Removal of two old slides, replaced with two racer slides and a twisting open slide each with exit flumes.

• Demolition of all previous pool areas including the 50-metre pool, Rampage pool, Island pool, toddler pool and slide pool.

• Replacement of pools with modifications including wet decking and the Island pool with the hugely successful splash park area.

• Construction of a new pump house and filtration system to improve water quality and solar systems to heat the 50-metre and middle pools.

• Construction of a toddler pool with zero entry and shade cover.

• Construction of a pool level, accessible changeroom, toilets and shower facility.

• A pram ramp from the top entry to pool level.

• A disability access ramp into the 50-meter pool.

• New shading areas and structures which also houses the solar panels.

This category included 10 finalists offering impressive and competitive submissions from Albury City, Blayney Shire, Clarence Valley, Forbes Shire, Goulburn Mulwaree, Lane Cove City, Mid-Coast, Norfolk Island Regional and Tamworth Regional Councils.

The Council acknowledge the support and contribution from a range of stakeholders who brought the project to fruition from concept to delivery:

• Contractors Total Creations and Services, who carried out the significant works during the COVID-19 pandemic with restricted resources and a tight timeline. Their work ensured the facility was able to open for the duration of summer with some pool access which increased through a three-stage process as works were finalised.

• Pool lessee’s Troy and Dycinta Lee who worked with and around the contractors to ensure a smooth worksite and who undertook the major task of learning the new systems in place.

• The many local sub-contractors who assisted or carried out works at the facility.

• The Council infrastructure team who worked closed with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the project outcome delivered a facility of the highest quality which has exceeded all expectations and increased regional tourism to Narrandera through the facility’s open months, providing strong economic advantages to local businesses and accommodation providers.

• The community stakeholder group who provided clear and constructive feedback at each of the community engagement sessions, which allowed Council to make revisions and improvements to the facility as the project progressed, and to the public who provided feedback at various points through the project timeline.

Announcing his pleasure at the Shire’s accolade for our Shire and offering his congratulations to everyone involved in the project, Narrandera Shire Mayor Neville Kschenka stated “it is through this dedication and support that Narrandera Shire Council is able to deliver large-scale works, to provide our community and region with a truly outstanding facility for everyone to enjoy.”

Images: The redeveloped Lake Talbot Water Park redevelopment (top, credit ) and winning representatives of Narrandera Shire Council and Total Creations and Services. Back row (from left): Simon McLean, Total Creations; Ray McLean, Total Creations; Shane Wilson, Deputy General Manager Infrastructure, Narrandera Shire Council and Mark McLean Total Creations. , Front row (from left): George Cowan, General Manager, Narrandera Shire Council; Fred Hammer, Manager Project and Assets; Narrandera Shire Council, Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka.