Riverview builder announcement
THE successful tenderer for the construction of the new Riverview retirement village is expected to be announced on Monday. ValleyView board chairman Neil Martin said five builders are interested in constructing the over 55s village to be built near the Collie River. The first stage of the project will consist of 54 units, including 16 on the lower portion of the land. Once the builder has been selected, earthworks are expected to be completed by June 30. “All of the first stage units will be for sale, and anyone who wishes to join our expressions of interest list can do so by ringing ValleyView residence,” Mr Martin said.
Minister asks for Black Diamond plan
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REGIONAL Development Minister Don Punch has expressed an interest in the Black Diamond lake concept plan. This was reported to Collie Shire Council last week by deputy president Ian Miffling. Cr Miffling told councillors that Mr Punch asked for a copy of the plan when attending the recent opening of the replica underground mine at the Collie Visitor Centre. Councillors heard that Cr Miffling and
Mrs Rosanne Pimm, who chaired the group investigating the project, took the opportunity to discuss the plan with Mr Punch. “The minister said he had not seen the report which was submitted to the South West Development Authority (SWDA) and he asked for a copy of it,” Cr Miffling said. “Mrs Pimm agreed to forward a copy to him.” The report covered day use of the Black
Diamond lake area, and the possibility of a nearby camping or chalet area to be privately developed. The plan has been the subject of contention for the past two years. Recently Mrs Pimm urged the State Government to act on the plan which she said had been “gathering dust”. The plan indicates that is it the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions who should manage the lake.
Kiosk managers hit the ground running TREVOR and Gabriela Messenger have hit the ground running since taking over the government lease at the Wellington Dam kiosk a little over a month ago. It has certainly been a leap of faith for the couple – originally hailing from Scotland and Germany, respectively – who made the move from Edinburgh to take over management of both the kiosk and Potters Gorge campground. Mr Messenger has previously lived and worked in Australia, however, neither of the couple were previously familiar with the Collie area.
NEW TEAM: Wellington Dam’s new kiosk operators Gabriela and Trevor Messenger.
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“We wanted to live in the countryside,” Mrs Messenger said. “We were looking for different opportunities and we just stumbled by chance on this business.” Mr Messenger said the couple has been hard at work, both making their mark on the kiosk and undertaking renovations at the accompanying three-bedroom house. They have been running the business on their own but are looking for staff to help out, particularly during busy weekend and holiday periods. Mr and Mrs Messenger are in the
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process of reworking the menu, while a new coffee machine occupies pride of place in the kiosk and has already received plenty of positive customer feedback. Mr Messenger said they plan to feature more retail items and local art in the kiosk, while monthly pop-up markets and dinners-under-the-stars are also potentially on the agenda for the future. “This lends itself to eating out,” he said of the potential for night dining. “You look up and you can see the Milky Way. It's awesome.”
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