Abandoned tennis courts will be transformed into native edible gardens and a 100-year-old grapevine will be given a new lease of life under a new proposal for York.
The development will see the construction of the Wheatbelt’s first Environmental Discovery Centre with construction to begin in coming weeks.
The project is being run by the York River Conservation Society (RCS) and has received $60000 in funding from the State Government.
RCS president John Crooke said the grant will enable the society to begin renovating an existing run-down building at the site, on Glebe and Clifford Streets, and to construct a much-needed shed to store equipment.
The Environmental Discovery Centre will run akin to those in other regional areas, where school and community workshops will tackle environmental and sustainability issues.
The project will also involve the Wildflower Society and local Balladong Noongar people.
York Shire president Denese Smythe and CEO Chris Linnell recently signed off on five-year lease of the land to the RCS and handed over the keys to the group to start the renovations.
Mrs Smythe said on Facebook: “The RCS was making our town a more environmentally friendly place to live and thanked the volunteers.”
Mr Crooke says further funding will be needed to finish outdoors areas with garden fixtures and waterwise, edible plants.
It is hoped the centre will attract tourists to the area with exhibits and workshops.
If you would like to be involved, please contact the RCS.