$100k boost for Gnowangerup recreation precinct with grant from Town Teams Movement’s Streets Alive program

The dream of a tourist and recreational precinct in Gnowangerup is a step closer this week with the announcement of a $100,000 grant which will start the process of transforming Aylmore Street.

The money has come from the Town Teams Movement following an application by the Shire of Gnowangerup and the Gnowangerup co-op GNP360.

The shire is aiming to start work early next year with the grant having to be spent by June 2027.

Aylmore Street was closed off when the town hosted the Wild Gravel event in October and the plan is to close it permanently to provide for a skate park, pump track and multi-use games area.

The Town Teams Movement has allocated money from its Streets Alive program which means there will be a strong road safety element to the project.

The idea of a skate park came from local schoolchildren who wrote to the shire asking for one to be built, and they will be consulted when it comes to the final colour scheme.

The grant is part of a much bigger project which is the subject of a $7 million Federal grant application.

GNP360 has bought the Gnowangerup Hotel with the aim of refurbishing it to provide accommodation for visitors and a meeting place for the local community.

The co-op will take ownership early next month.

The shire also hopes to re-open the Gnowangerup Star building as a museum and is busy refurbishing the town hall.

The overall program is set to be a “game changer”, according to Cassandra Beeck, secretary of GNP360.

“The recreation precinct, together with the new family and accommodation zone, within the Stirling Range tourism and cultural precinct will be a game-changer for the Great Southern region,” she said.

“GNP360 are working together with local government and regional agencies to offer a clear cultural corridor through the region, and we look forward to the results of our hard-earned efforts.”

Shire president Kate O’Keeffe welcomed the news of the Town Teams grant.

“I was thrilled to learn that a joint grant application between the Shire of Gnowangerup and GNP360 has been successful,” she said.

“This funding will go a long way towards closing Aylmore Street and the associated works, upgrading the footpath for the proposed community recreation park and making the area a safer place for our young people to play.

“This is another great example of the Shire of Gnowangerup partnering with a passionate community group to achieve positive outcomes for our residents.

“I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.”