GREATER SHEPPARTON’S NEXT BIG THING IS ALREADY HERE, IT’S JUST A LITTLE RUN-DOWN
Dear Editor,
GREATER Shepparton recently got wind of the consideration for a new tourist attraction, the Big Pear, something to represent the community and draw in tourists from wide and far to build our visitor economy.
While many have expressed their scepticism on the idea of building such a monument, another point of interest in that Greater Shepparton and particularly Mooroopna is already home to a ‘big thing’ with significant potential for our local and visitor economy.
KidsTown, a place that has been a key memory for so many kids who grew up around Greater Shepparton and further afield, has continued to be neglected and fall into greater disrepair. The once shining beacon for many now a hollow husk of what it once was.
With the size of the land, it also offers extensive opportunities for events, community markets, among other opportunities to continue building the local region’s platform. I remember when I was younger going to events such as those ran by Word and Mouth for Halloween, and I for one want to make sure that the next generation of young people get to see how great the site can be.
With the cost-of-living crisis facing Australians of all walks of life, having access to low-cost venues such as KidsTown also means that families can still access local days out without having to break the bank.
While the floods caused significant damage to the grounds at KidsTown, the downfall of the site has been long in the making with declining maintenance and concern over community issues with the site.
KidsTown offers our community a significant tourist opportunity, the potential to attract families to the region supports an injection of funds across the hospitality, retail and accommodation sectors, among others.
Whether or not the Big Pear is the next ‘big thing’, we need to make sure that the ‘big thing’ we already have in our community is maintained and improved for the generations to come and contribute to building a strong local visitor economy.
By Rowan Farren, Mooroopna Community Plan Steering Group’s chairperson
POTHOLE CONCERN ON HIGHWAY
To the Editor of The Adviser,
How long will VicRoads take to repair all the big potholes still not repaired on the Goulburn Valley Highway, both ways between Seymour and past Numurkah?
If I’m driving in the left lane, sometimes you can’t divert to the right lane to miss the potholes as a car is coming to overtake in that lane.
The worst times are after dusk, and I haven’t got time to change lanes, or I have to drive with my lights on high beam, which is dangerous.
The last thing [that needs to be said] is there isn’t any warning signs to say, “Rough Surface”, to give drivers some early warning.
It’s been nearly three years since the floods, so what is Vic Roads’ excuse for the delay?
Sincerely,
A frustrated driver!
Ms June Watson
Shepparton
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