Mayor Brenton Lewis has officially opened the Wharf Shelter at Sturt Reserve, celebrating the ongoing transformation of Murray Bridge’s riverfront into a showpiece and world class leisure destination.
CEO Michael Sedgman said “Works began in the Sturt Reserve Wharf Precinct in 2021, with focus to improve public amenity in this area. Stage 1 of works in the Wharf Precinct has included the first phase of landside works that were opened, with the next phases to include the remediation of the wharves”.
The design of the new shelter and associated works draw from both the history of the local factories and working wharf as well as local Ngarrindjeri cultural heritage. A co-designed process with our Ngarrindjeri community partners has created both a functional shelter and space and one that celebrates both European and Ngarrindjeri cultural heritage.
The design of the shelter also includes Aboriginal artwork by Kevin Kropinyeri which depicts a Dreaming Story about Waatji Pulyeri the Blue Wren.
“I am proud to see this project come to life and I am thankful for all the efforts of our staff and contractors that had a part in the important beautification of this section of Sturt Reserve.”
“Next steps towards implementation of the Sturt Reserve Master Plan include works in the Wharf Precinct for the refurbishment of the heritage timber wharf and the replacement lower timber wharf that will revamp this tourism gateway for the Murraylands region. These works are expected to commence later in 2022” he said.
The shelter is part of The Sturt Reserve Master Plan and is a long term project involving a large scale $34m riverfront redevelopment, to be rolled out in stages over coming years as funding becomes available.