Developing Chamberlain Square into a larger pedestrian mall, more vibrant street lighting, street furniture, gardens, tree plantings, outdoor dining, and major revitalisation of Cooke Park are some of the plans put forward to improve the Parkes CBD.
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A public meeting will take place at the Parkes Shire Council Chambers next Monday night (6pm, May 2) where council’s Vibrancy Strategy for the CBD will be presented and explained in detail.
The strategy is on public exhibition until Friday, May 20, with the community being encouraged to provide written feedback.
Public exhibition is the final step in finalising the plans and projects which will come into place during the next four to 10 years.
Already Council staff has started collecting the thoughts of the general public and on Wednesday conducted a three-hour survey of local shoppers.
The vision is that ‘the Parkes CBD will be valued as a vibrant town centre with quality streets, footpaths and car parks servicing an attractive array of active street frontages, character buildings and places.’
The proposal to turn Chamberlain Square into a larger pedestrian space will allow for informal public gatherings as well as more formal events such as markets.
The neareby taxi rank in Dalton Street is also regarded as out of date and in need of replacement.
The proposal for Cooke Park is to provide strong visual and pedestrian connections and flexible spaces to cater for events and festivals, outdoor eating, relaxation and water related play.
Important features of the current site such as the Venables Gates, memorial structures and trees will be incorporated into the new park design.
While the main town centre is seen as reflecting the style and character of the wider shire community, the strategy also includes the protection and enhancement of existing heritage buildings, streetscape and character of the CBD.
The recommendations for the Parkes CBD have been separated into the following - Small Wins, Further Designs, Car Parking and Movement, Activation, Incentives and Maintenance - explained as follows:
Small wins include:
Streetscape furniture, landscaping of the town centre with an investment in street trees to provide shade and character, establishing public art in spaces lacking vibrancy, and the construction of a mobile cafe unit to rent to interested food shops as part of a 12 month trial.
Further designs:
Undertake detailed designs of all streetscape improvements and Cooke Park in the 2016/17 financial year.
Car parking and movement:
Promote a simple, logical and pedestrian friendly road system in the Parkes CBD, where streets are attractive and memorable places for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to share.
Undertake a review of car parking to ensure adequate/appropriate parking facilities are available throughout the town centre.
Investigate areas for bicycle parking in the streetscape improvement areas and install when funds become available.
Investigate options for and locations of way-finding signage and install when funds become available.
Progress the Heritage Trail network, and implement when funds become available.
Replacement of the taxi rank when funds become available.
Activation:
As a matter of priority, work collaboratively with the Coles/Target Complex developer to complete improvements to the Parkes Arbour and surrounding streetscape.
Design and implement new car parking and traffic arrangements in Dalton Street to achieve more activation along this street.
Adopt a Cooke Park Masterplan and investigate ways to fund and implement improvements in the 2016/17 financial year.
The Square - undertake detailed designs in the 2016/17 financial year.
Prepare a masterplan of the Dalton Street area to investigate the merits of landmark new building(s) as well as links to The Square and the civic precinct.