OLD  RAILWAY STATION BUILDING

Walgett District Historical Society congratulates Sarah and Scott Wickman for their effort to retain the old building.  These young people had the courage to express an interest in the building and Walgett Shire Council has offered them the old station building.

It is Sarah and Scott’s intention to restore the building to its former glory, using early photographs in the theme of the railway and to add the building to their home which is about the same era.  They have promised us photos of progress along the way to restoration.

We are looking forward to seeing to the finished product.

 

Response to the Main Street Beautification Plan.

 

 

 Following discussions with a number of members of the Society, Vice President Margaret Weber responded to Councils request for comment on the Walgett Beautification plan with the following observations.

 

General

 

1.             The Council is to be congratulated for commissioning the report and believes it forms the basis of a long term strategy to revitalize Walgett.

 

2.             The report can be used to attract external funding to implement a number of the recommendations.

 

3.             A full understanding of the reports implications can only be achieved if specific elements are costed and the logistics of undertaking the works explored.

 

4.             The Society believes there is a need to identify, cost and prioritize other outstanding “quality of life / tourism projects “projects prior to Council making firm decisions. These projects include an expansion / relocation of the Walgett Museum, Walgett Library and Walgett Tourist Information Centre.

 

5.             The Society believes there is a need to identify, cost and prioritize outstanding maintenance projects including footpaths, rubbish removal, plantings, graffiti removal and Council owned buildings.

 

6.             Council needs to encourage a greater commitment by private owners to improved presentation of their own properties.

 

7.             The tone of the draft report is unduly negative and it is important to recognize and celebrate positive social and design elements such as the Court House. Racetrack, quiet well maintained residential areas and parkland reserves.

 

8.             The report does not identify how the community can become practically engaged with the project and implement some of the work – e.g. mass plantings of trees and shrubs. Many of the solutions are off the shelf and relate to large centres. It would be useful to highlight successful examples drawn from regional centres.

 

Specific

 

9.             Increasing shade opportunities throughout the town is a high priority. Consideration should be given to balancing native’s trees and shrubs with exotics to create visual interest.

 

10.         Increasing seating should be provided in the main street and associated service areas such as the Post Office.

 

11.         Routine maintenance of the main street needs to be dramatically upgraded with rubbish / graffiti removal, plant / street furniture maintenance being a priority.

 

12.         Upgrading of the footpaths should be undertaken on the basis that the truck bypass will be implemented.

 

13.         The Society is completely opposed to the relocation of the Walgett War Memorial.

 

14.         Council needs to be both proactive and realistic with regards to the security screen issue. The style and type of screen should be regulated and new owners should be actively encouraged to utilize less visually threatening measures such as toughened glass, improved lighting and roll a door style security. The Commonwealth Bank strategy at least provides a sense of normality to the street during daylight hours.

 

15.         Creation of a civic square in Wee Waa Street has considerable merit but without a clear traffic management strategy being outlined in the report it is unlikely to receive the support it deserves.

 

16.         There is no evidence of market research driven recommendations in the report. A critical question that needs to be asked and answered by travelers is “What would encourage you to break your journey at Walgett?  Council needs to be sure the beautification plan provides the solution and economic imperative to carry out the works.

 

         All members of the Society are encouraged to express their opinions concerning this very important initiative for the future of the town.

 

 

11 February 2010