At its meeting on Monday 20 March Alexandrina Council amended plans for the Goolwa Wharf Shed, allocating equal space to PS Oscar W volunteers and the commercial tenant.

Each will now be allocated five bays and an outside area. 

As well as five bays on the south side of the shed, the PS Oscar W volunteers will be provided with an enclosed workshop, internal fit-out and additional overhead weather coverage next to the shed.

The fit-out of the commercial tenancy will be done at the tenant’s cost. 

At its February meeting the council decided to restrict the area allocated to the Oscar W in the interests of future tourism and revenue, which attracted considerable community backlash.

It was down two councillors at the time, with South ward’s Peter Oliver and West Ward’s Michael Scott stood down as a part of the state-wide issue of failure to lodge their election campaign returns on time.

The two councillors were reinstated in time to attend the March meeting.

The council says the clear message from the March meeting was that the historical significance of the PS Oscar W and its volunteers are truly valued by Alexandrina Council and the community it represents. 

Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris says ,“I am pleased that the Wharf Shed allocation is finalised once and for all, and we look forward to getting on with the build. 

“The allocation of space within the Wharf Shed was an important detail to clarify, with both current tenants being key to achieving the Goolwa Wharf Precinct

Project’s vision to create a place to experience vibrant riverfront township enriched with culture and history. 

“We will continue to move forward with the project to meet the tight completion timeframes required to by the $5 million grant funding received for the Wharf Precinct

Project and the $980,000 grant funding received for the Signal Point Experience Centre.”

He says the project team is working closely with all precinct stakeholders as the council prepares for the upcoming staged construction plans.

This includes a timetable for the building phase that allows continuing access by the public, maintains business operations and manages impacts from construction activities. 

“It is now full steam ahead for the project, with construction to soon start in April,” Mr Morris says. 

Full details of the Goolwa Wharf Precinct Project can be found on the Alexandrina Council website.