Byron Shire Council is preparing a strategic forward plan for Bangalow and is welcoming input into the Bangalow Village Plan on how residents walk, cycle and use their cars to get around the town.
Council’s place planning coordinator Tara McGready said initial consultation for the Bangalow Village Plan with residents in early 2016 had shown that movement and parking were key topics for the local community. She said feedback from residents will help inform the plan ‘that will guide the town for the next 10 to 15 years’.
A team from transportation consultancy MRCagney has been engaged to help formulate strategies. ‘They are passionate about applying a “people first” approach to the places, towns, cities and countries in which we work,’ Ms McGready said.
Residents are encouraged to join the council at a public workshop at the Showground’s Moller Pavilion on Thursday May 4, 5.30–7.30pm. Residents can also attend a ‘pop-up studio’ on Byron Street in front of the post office building on Thursday May 4, 12.30–5pm, Friday May 5, 9.30am–4.30pm and Saturday May 6, 9am–12 midday.
A community groups workshop will also be held at the Moller Pavilion on Thursday May 4, 12.30–2pm. If you are a member of a community group, club or organisation in Bangalow and are interested in coming along, please RSVP stating ‘Community Groups workshop’, the community group/s you are a member of and your name to [email protected] or phone 6626 7126.
Parking survey
Residents are also being asked to consider how parking is being managed in the town centre and to complete a survey online or in person at the workshop and pop-up studios.
Director of infrastructure services Phil Holloway said a recently completed Bangalow town centre parking management strategy has shown that about 75 per cent of the cars parking in Bangalow are doing so for less than an hour and 15 per cent are parking for between one and two hours.
‘To support the current parking needs and ensure parking turnover, we’d like residents to consider changing the parking mix to include one-hour parking in the main street areas,’ Mr Holloway said. ‘Plus, introducing pay parking to support the parking turnover and provide a revenue stream from visitors.’
If pay parking were introduced, the existing pay parking exemption e-permit would apply for residents and people working within Bangalow. E-permit holders would park and walk away. Time limits would still apply.
A Bangalow Village Plan Guidance Group, made up of community representatives, has been formed. When finalised, the draft plan will be presented to Council and placed on public exhibition for further input.
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