THE shire of Northam has its sights set on increasing the number of tourists in town this year.
Potential plans include the building of an Aboriginal Interpretation and Environmental centre located next to the Visitors Centre. The project is still in the planning stages, with an application put forward to both state and federal governments for funding.
The centre would house Aboriginal artefacts and also be an educational resource for locals and tourists to come and learn about indigenous culture in the area.
Shire president Steven Pollard said the centre would potentially provide jobs for locals, as well as be a tourist attraction for visitors to experience indigenous culture. Funding has not yet been approved for the project, but Mr Pollard hopes the project will improve tourists to Northam, as well as educate people on the local environment and the relationship with the Avon River.
A new skate park at Wundowie Oval has also been given the go ahead, with work on the project to begin shortly. The park will be an upgrade from the current, temporary skate park that exists on the site to a more permanent structure, complete with ramps and jumps.
Another major ongoing project which is taking place in Wundowie this year involves taking recycled and waste water from Wundowie and transporting it to Bakers Hill to help with water issues in the town.
The Shire of Northam has also put forward plans for funding from the state government to improve flood litigation in the town. If the funding is approved new pipe systems and walls will be put in place to reduce flooding caused from the Avon River during heavy rainfall periods.
"When we have a heavy down pour, consequentially Minson Avenue becomes flooded with half a metre to a metre of water," Pollard said.
A war memorial dedicated to local Victoria Cross medal recipient Hugo Throssell has also been planned. The statue will be funded by the Shire of Northam and will be "a tip of the cap to the legacy of Throssell and his family", Mr Pollard said.
The statue is set to be built in the Avon Street Mall and the planned unveiling will coincide with the 100 year Anzac anniversary on April 25.
Road and footpath maintenance is also high on the Shire's agenda, with plans to implement signage to dual use footpaths in an attempt to improve safety between cyclists and pedestrians.
Mr Pollard said he hoped the signage would make it clear the footpaths were for use by both cyclists and pedestrians. The signs would both improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and hopefully encourage more people to use the designated paths.
Mr Pollard hoped the Shire continued in a positive direction this year, but said "because we are so reliant on grant funding, if none of these sources come through, we will just have to maintain current projects".