South West shire supports new playground and enclosed dog park and wants community involved with planning

A South West shire supported plans for a new playground and dog park and is now seeking the community to be involved with the planning process.

During their November council meeting, councillors from the Shire of Harvey voted in support of the Meriden Park Masterplan, which would see the area adjacent to the Dr Peter Topham Memorial Swimming Pool upgraded.

The upgrades will see the addition of a new accessible playground, toilet block, enclosed dog park and more set to be rolled out in two stages from 2025-2026.

Calls for a new playground in Harvey first developed in 2012 and arrived before the council in 2013 with funds allocated and plans developed to build the park in Snell’s Park.

However, the project didn’t come to fruition as the shire failed to secure funding and the viability of the proposed park was questioned.

Now with the impending 2025 State election, the shire said it was lobbying both sides of the political spectrum to secure funding.

Cr James Junio said he believed the Harvey community deserved the new park.

“It’s been 12 years since they asked for this, and due to some unfortunate events it has been stalled,” he said.

“I think it is just time for them to have a proper playground.”

Cr Joe Capogreco said he believed the community was “entitled” to receive the new dog park as well as the play area.

The councillor’s vote to approve the accessible playground passed unanimously — as did the vote for the dog park.

The first stage of the project — set to start construction in 2025 — will see the existing carpark reconfigured as outlined in the plan, leaving a space for the upcoming playground.

The shire has allocated $170,000 in the 2024-2025 budget for the changes, which is set to come from the local roads and community infrastructure program.

Also included in stage one is the construction of the enclosed dog park, drinking fountains and paths, which the shire has allocated $60,000 of the 2024-2025 budget to complete.

As part of the planning process, both the playground and dog park’s proposals are open for public consultation with the shire encouraging members of the community to have their say.

Both proposals can be viewed on the shire’s Have Your Say website at haveyoursay.harvey.wa.gov.au.