- Kalgoorlie
City Centre project officially opened at special event
- The project received
$8 million funding from the State Government
The Kalgoorlie City Centre Project was officially
opened by the Minister for Small Business Jackie Jarvis at a community
celebration today.
The project
which centres around St. Barbara's Square in the centre of Kalgoorlie, has
transformed the space into a vibrant hub for families, locals, businesses, and
tourists.
The new
features include a water play area inspired by the Goldfields landscape, a
bespoke playground, event spaces and entertainment areas, alfresco dining,
gardens, and accessible toilet facilities.
The square
design represents Kalgoorlie's history with a climbing structure shaped like a
silky pear, symbolising the Karlkurla fruit from which Kalgoorlie's name
originates.
The statue of
the Patron Saint of Miners, St. Barbara, was temporarily relocated to the
Eastern Goldfields Miners Memorial at the Museum of the Goldfields during the
project, and has recently been returned to the square ready for the official
opening.
The project received $8
million funding from the State Government for the Economic Transformation of
Kalgoorlie City Centre Project, with a matched contribution from the City of
Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Comments attributed to Regional Development
Minister Don Punch:
"The long-awaited
Kalgoorlie City Centre Project has refurbished St. Barbara Square to create a
series of new community and visitor spaces, which will lead to revitalised user
experiences.
"The project will provide
a range of broad economic benefits through economic activation, attracting
investment to the City, and has already provided significant opportunities for
Aboriginal employment, and business participation during construction."
Comments attributed to Small Business
Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"This exciting
project has transformed the Kalgoorlie-Boulder city centre and delivered a vibrant, functional hub for both
retail businesses and the community to thrive.
"The project will
support existing and new businesses across a number of sectors through
increased visitation, activation of public spaces and an improved visitor
experience."
Comments attributed to Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"I am absolutely thrilled to finally see the opening of the
Kalgoorlie City Centre project.
"It will completely rejuvenate the CBD - with the
children's playground and the First Nation's art specific highlights.
"This is just the first stage of a project that will
breathe new life into the city.
"I hope the community will love this as much as we do, and
I look forward to the community open day on the 3rd of December."
