Exciting proposal being developed
H1HC are submitting a grant application under Steam 1 of the Federal Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. If successful, the proposed repurposing of the SMEC Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at 220-226 Sharp St Cooma will anchor a dynamic precinct which will be known as the Monaro Education Engineering Culture and Arts Precinct (MEECAP).
MEECAP – EXCITING PROPOSAL BEING DEVELOPED BY HYDRO1 HERITAGE CENTRE INC
H1HC are submitting a grant application under Stream 1 of the Federal Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. If successful, the proposed repurposing of the SMEC Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at 220-226 Sharp St Cooma will anchor a dynamic precinct which will be known as the Monaro Education Engineering Culture and Arts Precinct (MEECAP). The precinct, incorporating the West Cooma Business District, will transform the area into a vibrant hub for arts, culture, engineering, education and innovation as well as showcase the heritage and history of the laboratory.
H1HC SMEC RPPP PARTNERSHIP
H1HC and SMEC have signed a Confidentiality Agreement enabling H1HC access to all their relevant plans and reports. A binding Letter of Intent outlining the commitments of both parties is now in process.
The new CEO of the SJ Group (SMEC’s holding company) will be briefed in Singapore by SMEC Australia on the MEECAP project and H1HC’s partnership proposal. These are prerequisite steps for progressing the partnership to the next stage.
ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITY & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
H1HC committee member, Suzanne Dunning, recently presented the MEECAP proposal to the Cooma Chamber of Commerce and Snowy Monaro Regional Council, garnering significant interest and support.
H1HC’s presence at the Cooma Show resulted in ten new memberships and several generous donations, reflecting growing community enthusiasm for the project.
TOURS AND NETWORKING
Employees of Future Generation JV and of the Snowy Hydro, SMEC and Design Joint Venture (DJV) design team were briefed on the H1HC MEECAP project and enjoyed insightful tours of the SMEC Fluid Mechanics Laboratory and the National Engineering Landmark Cooma Back Creek Rock Bolting Development Site. Refreshments were sponsored by Roses Restaurant and SMEC. More tours have been requested.
EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS
Collaboration is underway with Landcare groups and Cooma Lions Club for the rehabilitation of the Cooma Back Creek and to integrate it into the precinct, emphasizing sustainability and community involvement. Discussions centred on Indigenous involvement, re-establishing native vegetation, the rock bolt site and showcasing examples of Alpine and Sub Alpine vegetation environments. Specialists (geomorphologist, river morphologist, fish experts, etc) are to be contacted to provide estimates to review the creek and provide plans and specifications for the best way to rehabilitate and incorporate it into the MEECAP project.
LOOKING AHEAD
The committee is diligently preparing for the Regional Precincts and Partnership Program grant application, while simultaneously addressing legal and development requirements.
Updates on design of the H1HC website coming soon. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as MEECAP continues to evolve and shape the future of the Snowy-Monaro district.
Photographs: Snowy Hydro, SMEC and DJV staff being briefed at the rockbolting site by retired SMEC engineer John Gray, H1HC treasurer Jonathan Kugler describes the Dartmouth Dam Spillway model to FGJV staff
