Guyra community members Aileen MacDonald OAM, left, Hans Hietbrink, Simon Murray and Dot Vickery OAM with Northern Tablelands MP at the completed Mother of Ducks Lagoon upgrade works.
Friday, 31 July 2020
VISITORS will soon be ‘flocking’ to Guyra’s picturesque Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall declaring the $459,182 amenities and campsite upgrade officially open to the public.
In 2018, the State Government provided funding to Armidale Regional Council (ARC) to allow it to update recreational facilities at the lagoon, making it more accessible to visitors.
“With an abundance of bird life and stunning outlook, Mother of Ducks Lagoon is one of the most unique public parks in the region,” Mr Marshall said.
“The public area on the edge of the lagoon was established more than 30 years ago, and the facilities were in desperate need of updating to make them more user-friendly and to fit in with the natural surrounds.
“Over the past year council has chipped away at the expanding the toilet facilities, installing new barbecues, picnic tables and shelters, refurbishing of the caravan and RV overnight camping sites and establishing new turf.
“When birdwatchers and caravans now roll onto Bradly Street they will be met with one of Guyra’s most breath taking natural attractions will hopefully choose to pull over and stay the night.”
Mr Marshall said the Guyra Chamber of Commerce had long known the economic benefits the upgrade would bring to the community.
“Free camping is a simple but effective tool which is known to encourage travellers into a town and spend money in local businesses,” he said.
“Perfectly located just off the New England Highway, I expect we will now start to see a lot more travellers choosing the Mother of Ducks camping area as place to stay, ahead of making the final run north to the Queensland border.
“With even a small two per cent increase in overnight stays at the lagoon reserve, Guyra has the ability to increase visitor expenditure in the town by almost $2.75 million each year.
“In the current economic climate that is not chicken feed and will go a long to supporting local cafes and supermarkets to keep people employed and their doors open.
“I congratulate council and the Guyra community on the new facilities and look forward to seeing them jam-packed with tourists once the temperature starts to warm up.”
The project was funded by a grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.