NAMBUCCA Valley Council has voted to investigate short-term solutions to shading and greenery in Bowraville’s main street following an impassioned plea from well-known resident Phillida Hartley.
“The time to start action is now,” she said when addressing December’s Public Forum.
Ms Hartley told News Of The Area that she had grown frustrated with the lack of progress on public amenities in Bowraville and has watched as facilities and services have been eroded over the past three decades.
Councillors had to decide whether to spend or set aside a $25,000 budget allocation towards the designs in Bowraville’s Masterplan, until more funds can be accumulated.
Unanimously, they voted to follow Ms Hartley’s suggestions to investigate shade options, greenery and additional seating, to provide some benefit as soon as possible.
The Bowraville Masterplan, created by local architect Alan Rudge in consultation with community members, was officially adopted in 2021.
At the time, Council unsuccessfully applied for grants of $4,317,932 to implement the plan.
Since then, Ms Hartley noted, little had been done towards the promised improvements.
She offered several suggestions for spending part or all the money in line with the masterplan but aimed at providing maximum outcome for minimum investment. They are:
1) Widen the median strip outside the Bowra Hotel on Belmore Street and possibly move the Bullock Wagon to create more space. Currently a small grove of trees offers the only shade in the area and seating would immediately offer some respite from the sun in summer.
2) Plant trees and investigate shade and seating options to create a “pocket park” opposite the IGA on the south-west corner of Belmore and High streets, beside the old chocolate shop.
3) Investigate more shade and seating options in the middle of the street through planting trees and installing seating created from bridge timbers that “were promised to Bowraville Chamber of Commerce so many years ago”.
“It’s too hot [in the main street] for at least half the year,” Ms Hartley said.
“So obviously this is a major concern for locals and businesses [as it] affects the viability of our town centre.”
By Ned COWIE
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