THE first stage of the old Romsey Primary School site redevelopment has completed, with a community health centre and adjoining park almost ready to open to the public.
Cobaw Community Health and Romsey Ecotherapy Park (formerly the Greater Romsey All-Abilities Park committee) worked with Macedon Ranges Shire Council to transform the 150-year-old property, while funding also came from the federal and state governments.
The federal government provided nearly $1 million for the combined project, the state also chipped in with $733,000, council contributed $215,000 and Cobaw Community Health contributed $50,000.
The new community health centre will provide the full suite of Cobaw’s health and wellbeing services in early childhood, youth, families, adults, aged and disability.
With the opening of the Cobaw facility, residents in Romsey and Lancefield will no longer have to travel to Woodend or Kyneton.
The Romsey Ecotherapy Park is the result of a community-led initiative to build an inviting and accessible passive recreation open space for local people and visitors.
The design placed an emphasis on engaging people of all ages and abilities with nature to provide a unique sensory and therapeutic experience.
The active nature play space along the Main Street frontage of the site forms the first stage of the park and includes landscaped areas, seating, paths and nature-based play elements.
Romsey Ecotherapy Park president Raelene Mottram said this first stage is directed at the younger demographic while later stages will attract the wider community.
“At the moment, it’s what we call the active nature space and within that there are elements like a flying fox, climbing logs and a basket swing. All of these things are probably directed at a younger demographic but anyone can get on it,” she said.
