The entrance to Narre Warren, Victoria's Fountain Gate shopping centre will soon be transformed as part of an innovative project initiated by local students.
Works on stage one of the project, which will see the iconic fountain gateway structure to Narre Warren restored, has already begun on the corner of Princes Highway and Tinks Road.
The project was first proposed by the Future Problem Solving Team from Fountain Gate Secondary College in 2013, with an aim to enhance community pride, according to a council spokesman.
The City of Casey Council adopted the programme, naming it Encouraging Pride In Our Community (EPIC), and enlisting the students’ support to redesign the old fountain site into a community-inspired and meaningful garden.
As part of the process, the students also had input into the end design created by the council's landscape team, and based on a multicultural and Aboriginal-inspired theme.
An allocation of funds in the council's Capital works programme enabled the project to go ahead and the students' initial aims to be realised.
Mayor Mick Morland said stage one would involve the establishment of grass areas, indigenous plant garden, interpretive signage, integrated seating, retaining wall and a seasonal community garden.
The new design, he said, would pay respect to the original fountain site designer Robin Boyd, while also turning the Narre Warren gateway into a colourful and rich seasonal display. It would be an eye-catching image on any future postcard printing promotions.
