Jeparit Swimming Hole receives funding for decking upgrades

The area, commonly known as the Jeparit Swimming Hole, is located between the Jeparit Caravan Park and the Wimmera River.

The upgrades will see the construction of a new decking area at the swimming spot, replacing the damaged concrete retaining wall.

Hindmarsh Shire Council selected the swimming area as a 'visitor node', which will serve as the end of the 68km Wimmera Discovery Trail project.

Hindmarsh Shire chief executive Greg Wood said the project had been on the drawing board for many years.

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"The swimming hole in Jeparit needs upgrades, if not for aesthetic purposes, because the retaining wall at the swimming hole is failing," he said.

"It has some old concrete sleepers there, it doesn't work, and you can't use the area.

"The reason I say it is related to the discovery trail is that the discovery trail includes upgrades to the caravan park, the camp kitchen and that whole area - but they are all dependent on this project being done first."

Mr Wood acknowledged the proposed decking would not be wheelchair accessible.

The council voted to re-allocate $147,000 of federal grant money to the swimming hole project from the Davis Park Redevelopment project, which saw a reduction in allocation from $227,000 to $80,000.

Since its inception, the Davis Park redevelopment project has failed multiple times to acquire state grant funding to continue works on the site.

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Hindmarsh councillor and northward representative Brett Ireland welcomed the essential tourism upgrade.

"This is a really multi-function project and it will be something for Jeparit to hang their hat on, that is for sure," he said.

"It is user friendly for the caravan park, the hospital can take the oldies down there, and they will be able to sit on the deck and cook a barbeque lunch. It is very widely used as a swimming hole already by the locals.

"And of course, with the Wimmera Discovery Trail heading right through there as well, there will be a lot of tourists stopping through there on bikes.

"It is a fantastic thing, I have seen the draft plans and I just can't wait."

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