Historical Society response to the Walgett Main Street Beautification Plan.

 

        In response to a call for comments by Walgett Shire Council regarding the recently commissioned beautification plan, Vice President Margaret Weber wrote and expressed the following observations on behalf of the WDHS following discussions with a number of members.

General comments

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.

 

         Society members are encouraged to talk to Council staff and Councillors to ensure progress is made with this exciting project and the best outcome is achieved for Walgett

 

 

11 February 2010