East Gippsland Shire councillors have voted unanimously to move forward with the upgrade of Forest Park.
The decision to accept a tender from Bairnsdale business, Whelans Group Investments, was made at the September 26 council meeting, for the amount of $1,476,064.
Council's general manager assets and environment, Fiona Weigall, said the upgrade would bring many benefits to the Orbost community. 
"This will both grow local tourism and stimulate the local economy by providing a destination for travellers using the Princes highway and improve a place for community members of all ages to gather," she said.
Cr John White questioned the design in relation to future flooding.
"The area, although it's a very pretty area, it's also subject to inundation during natural disasters. My question is around these new installations - are they in places or positions where they would be protected, because we wouldn't want to invest all that money and then see something happen in a natural disaster," Cr White said.

IMAGE: An upgrade for Forest Park is a step closer, with East Gippsland Shire councillors voting unanimously to accept a tender from Whelans Group Investments.