27/07/05
A Koongamia playground, built as part of the suburb’s major transformation program, will be named after a long-time Midland resident.
Margaret Holland, a former Swan City councillor, has lived in the area for 37 years. She is currently chairperson of the Koongamia Progress Association and president of the Midland Sports Association.
Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan officially opened the Margaret Holland Playground today. It is located within the Lloyd Penn Park and was created as part of the Eastern Horizons New Living Program.
Eastern Horizons is a $26million joint venture between the Department of Housing and Works and the City of Swan and the Shire of Mundaring, providing significant upgrades to public infrastructure and housing in Koongamia, Midland, Midvale, Middle Swan and Swanview.
Mr Logan told the family and friends of Margaret Holland that they could be proud that she epitomised what New Living was all about - the community helping itself.
“Mrs Holland is an exemplary citizen,” he said.
“Apart from her eight years’ work on the City of Swan and her chairmanship of the local progress and sports associations, she has voluntarily assisted many other community organisations. She is to be commended for her strong beliefs in social justice and common sense planning and her commitment to families and the Midland area.”
The Minister said the playground was part of the $280,000 makeover of Lloyd Penn Park, which originally had only a sloping grassed area, two small sandpits and ageing play equipment.
“Eastern Horizons has successfully achieved its aim to provide an area with a range of physical challenges and opportunities, and a pleasant surrounding for users of the park and local residents,” he said.
“The improvements of new play equipment, a synthetic half court basketball court, seating, tree planting, rock walls, pathways and bollards all meet the community’s generational needs.
“The second stage of work at the western end of the park providing more trees and pathways will complete an excellent facility.”
Mr Logan said his tour of Koongamia before the opening event had demonstrated the remarkable scope of co-operative works undertaken in the neighbourhood. He said the $570,000 upgrading of the suburb’s commercial centre was an impressive example of what New Living programs could achieve.
Upgrades included new car parking, streetscaping, roundabouts and blister islands to make the area safer for both road users and pedestrians.
The Minister said the increasing value of refurbished houses in Koongamia was also testament to the program. Refurbished houses sold for $85,000 in 2001, but some were now fetching $185,000.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
