Koondrook Wharf
The Shire of Gannawarra in the northwest rural region of the State of Victoria is experiencing economic challenges brought about by changes in the agricultural sector and the use of water in areas prone to drought.
TERROIR (with Hirst Projects) worked with the Shire and the local business community to identify the potential of the town of Koondrook, on the Murray River to create new opportunities for tourism, linking with state and regional strategic directions. A feasibility study for the replacement of the Koondrook Wharf became a key focus given the opportunity to benefit river uses and complement existing and proposed developments in the township and surrounding region.
Our approach involved extensive community consultation to identify the three key functions; for boats, as a heritage interpretation (of the former wharf from bygone industrial days) and a recreational use. This extensive consultation process lead to a successful ‘buy in’ by the local community and stakeholders. The development of infrastructure that can support new business on the river and connect, the adaptive re-use of buildings in the township and business modelling that will create a sustainable future was enthusiastically embraced by the community, local and adjacent Councils and broader stakeholder agencies such as Regional Development Victoria.
