The Shire of Manjimup will light up its brand new food and beverage precinct in a message of hope from the community to family and friends doing it tough in the fight against COVID-19 around the world.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Campbell said To see this project through from concept to spectacular reality has been a credit to our organisation, suppliers, contractors and local businesses especially given the logistics of building a structure that is 94m long, 12m wide, and 6m high whilst continuing to allow public access to support local business.
Mr Campbell further added Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions we are currently unable to formally open the precinct so we have been exploring other opportunities to showcase the space and we see no better way than to show our symbolic support for the rest of the world during the pandemic.
In partnership with Light Application, a premier lighting designer and supplier in Western Australia responsible for the lighting in the project, the Shire will light up the Brockman Street Food and Beverage Precinct each night from 5pm to 8pm in an active display of vibrant colours changing daily over the next three months, starting on Friday 15 May 2020 with a tribute to health and other frontline COVID-19 workers.
Shire President Paul Omodei said Thanks to very decisive action by the Western Australian State Government, the Shire of Manjimup district is very fortunate to be COVID-19 free, although like everyone else we are not immune to local economic impacts. However, there are people right around the world fighting for their own lives and the lives of others who are in a much worse off position than us and we need to show our support.
Cr Omodei added Many people in our region, including large numbers on Temporary Working Visas, have family and friends around the world fighting the pandemic in COVID-19 strongholds and whilst our action is only symbolic, our message is that we are all in this together and together we will get through this.
Cr Omodei encouraged people in Western Australia to come to Manjimup to take photos and video of the light display and distribute them to family and friends across the world with their own messages of support. Cr Omodei added further We can't wait to utilise our new space for all weather community events but until then come to Manjimup and take images of our active light display and whilst you are here support our local businesses.