Master plan: A blueprint for Bowraville's future

Bowra resident Gai Nowland acknowledged at the November 26 council meeting that "at times (the debate was) so hot that progress was stalled".

Foremost of all issues for many is the lack of shade.

"Yesterday I mentioned this topic to a colleague and her response was 'trees, trees, trees - plant trees'," Gai said.

Council has allocated $30,000 this financial year to begin master planning for the main street in the historic town, after requests by the Bowraville Chamber of Commerce and other community organisations.

At the most recent council meeting it was recommended that councillors vote in favour of engaging "Alan Rudge Architecture to prepare initial concepts to support a grant application" as part of the combined state and federal government Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund (BLERF).

Local Alan Rudge has been the creative force behind the Macksville CBD Revitalisation this year.

Gai said she "wholeheartedly" supported the project, with one caveat - that "the architect's consultation process begins prior to any draft plans being commenced".

"There is much passion and diversity (in the community) which makes it vitally important that those preparing these plans know where the energies and blockages are prior to starting a new draft," she said.

"Importantly, how do we hear the voices of our Gumbaynggirr community and honour their very long and rich heritage."

Mayor Rhonda Hoban suggested that what was being proposed was similar to the Macksville Revitalisation process.

"An effective way there was to put something visual in front of people and then let them either pick it apart or add to it, and then there'd be broader consultation afterwards," she said.

But General Manager Michael Coulter acknowledged a lack of community consult in Bowraville had been a mistake made by council in the past.

"The council did actually previously undertake a fairly involved master plan process by a landscape architect, and the thing - I'd have to say - fell pretty flat," he said.

"I think Mr Rudge has got enough local nous to avoid that. Having said that, we could have a community workshop at the start of the process so Mr Rudge can hear what the community's views are firsthand."

Of course, with an end-of-January deadline for BLERF submissions and with Christmas and New Year thrown in the mix, that leaves very little time for a proper community consultation.

Gai acknowledged this in her address and suggested a "speed-dating concept", where anyone interested could have a short window of 10-15 minutes with which to sit down and discuss their ideas and concerns with the design team.

Councillors then voted in favour of an amendment that "council engage Alan Rudge Architecture to undertake a community workshop; and then prepare initial concepts to support a grant application to implement the Bowraville Town Centre Master Plan".

A community workshop is being held at Grants Hall at 5pm next Monday, December 14.

In order to comply with COVID-safe protocols, all people wanting to attend should register their intent by emailing Grant.Nelson@nambucca.nsw.gov.au

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