Geraldton Regional Art Gallery park facelift one step closer after tender awarded

The “bookend” component to the Rocks Laneway revitalisation project is a step closer to completion, with a tender awarded this week for the redevelopment of the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery Park.

Work on the site will include a new toilet block, gardens, street lighting, seating and a walkway, with the project to be completed by local businesses Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets and Parscape.

The project is about $300,000 over budget, with a report presented to the council on Tuesday saying the price spike was due to an increase in labour and materials costs.

Cr Michael Librizzi said the development was a necessary addition to the city centre and worth the extra cost.

“Originally I was against this with the spend of the ratepayer money $300,000 over, but in speaking further to the community and the City itself, I appreciate this is really a priority project to finish off that Rocks Laneway project,” he said.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the current toilet block was “abhorrent” and it was important to refurbish a site with so much local history.

“The park is dilapidated and it is the original site of the first ever council chambers,” he said.

“This is part of the Rocks Laneway activation, it is part of the Chapman Road redevelopment, it is next to our visitor centre and it is a wonderful precinct, so this will go a long way to tidying it up.”