Out with the old and in with the new at Warrnambool's Lake Pertobe as equipment get makeover

Lake Pertobe is in the process of undergoing a major multi-million-dollar revamp, but some of the older equipment is being replaced and upgraded as well.

Maintenance will soon be carried out on the deck, stringers and cables of the ageing swing bridge, but in the meantime it has been fenced off.

"Materials are being sourced and once received the works will be programmed in at the next available opportunity," the council said.

"We anticipate the bridge should be open again by mid-November."

The tyres from the old swing in the playground nearby have been removed and the entire will be decommissioned.

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"Council is assessing potential play elements that could replace the swing prior to the final removal occurring," the council said.

The play area where the tyre swing is being replaced will be retained under the major redevelopment of Lake Pertobe, but the play equipment at the eastern end of the park will be replaced.

The contract to build a $1.77 million playspace and waterplay project for Lake Pertobe was awarded in July, but COVID has delayed the works with contractors foreshadowing a struggle to get supplies.

An upgrade of the main car park is currently under way as part of a $450,000 funding boost from the federal government.

And last week, councillors gave the green light to a major upgrade of the Pertobe Road toilets to build high-end toilets, changerooms and showers.

That project is set to cost $800,000 - a $300,000 blowout. It is the second project to go over budget recently with the Edwards Bridge project expected to cost $1.6 million more than the expected $3 million budget.

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