Cultural connections to be highlighted in Waroona Community Precinct through six-season garden

Waroona’s Noongar heritage is set to be highlighted in a long-anticipated community precinct, with more details being released about the project. A Six Seasons garden will make up part of the landscaping of the project, to highlight the respective timings in the Noongar calandar. Advised by local resident and internationally-recognised botanist Kingsley Dixon, the garden is planned to include a number of plant species endemic to the Waroona area. The garden has been chosen as one of the elements of the precinct following feedback from the Waroona Precinct Community Working Group. A number of advanced trees are planned for the site, alongside plants to attract local fauna to the area. Most of the native vegetation at the site will be retained, though five trees will be removed and replaced following recommendations from a botanist. Waroona Shire president Mike Walmsley said the community would be involved in the development of the community precinct, with community planting days planned for the project. “Many residents have already been heavily involved with planning for the Community Precinct, so it’s very exciting to be moving closer towards opportunities for planting days, as well as the design and installation of public art,” Cr Walmsley said. Tenders for the project went out in December, with the council hoping to award the contract early this year. Funding has been received from the Shire, the State and Federal governments, Lotterywest, the Alcoa Waroona Sustainability Fund and the Waroona Lions Club. More details on the project can be found at waroona.wa.gov.au/communityprecinct.