After years of planning, consultation and a weather-delayed build the Eagle Point Foreshore Hub is open and welcoming visitors.
This architecturally designed East Gippsland Shire Council facility features two modern community meeting rooms with audio visual equipment, public toilets, a café, and a large deck with spectacular views overlooking Lake King.
The facility is also the new home of the Eagle Point Caravan Park reception and convenience store, which services park visitors and locals alike.
Informed by community feedback, council adopted a natural themed landscaping plan to complement the character of Eagle Point.
Large rock is used to define and reinforce elevated differences and extensive plantings of native vegetation encompass the rock to create an enjoyable space for all generations to enjoy.
With improved access to the foreshore and ramps leading to the new adventure playground designed by Enlocus Landscape Architects, the landscaping incorporates relaxed grassed areas, abundant seating and shared pathways.
Pedestrians can now travel between the foreshore, playground, pavilion, toilets and the new multi-purpose hub building without needing to cross a road.
The development of the hub precinct was a direct response to the Eagle Point Foreshore Management Plan, where community identified the need to upgrade this area, and the creation of a ‘hub’ was their number one priority.
Funded by a low interest loan from the Victorian Government’s Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme, Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and council, the precinct has transformed the area into a vibrant focal point and meeting place for residents and visitors alike.
Mayor, Cr Tom Crook, said the project’s primary goal was to create a unique and welcoming space.
“The Eagle Point Foreshore Hub’s design embraces the location’s natural beauty, resolves previous accessibility issues, and promotes community wellbeing by providing an inviting space for people to gather and connect,” Cr Crook said.
The hub meeting rooms will be available for the community to hire in early 2024.
Council is currently seeking expressions of interest for the long-term management and operation of the hub’s café, which enjoys stunning views across Lake King.
The café space provides a unique commercial offering in Eagle Point and has been temporarily setup to serve the community over summer.
The café will be fitted-out for the new lessee to walk in, apply their own personal touches and commence business.
The new kitchen will be positioned in 2024.
The Eagle Point Caravan Park team will manage the café until a suitable tenant is contracted.
The caravan park convenience store offers customers the opportunity to purchase a range of items including ice creams, drinks, bags of ice, bait, fishing gear, and insect repellent.
“Once we open the doors to the hub and its facilities, we have no doubt that this spot will be well-loved community space for many years,” Cr Crook said.
The Eagle Point Foreshore Hub will be the stunning backdrop for the East Gippsland Australia Day Awards on 20 January 2024; the first of many events to be held at the hub.