After two years of lying dormant with little action, fresh life has been given to the CBD committees in the shire.
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A meeting earlier this month determined the future direction of the committees in light of the changes affecting Scone in particular, due to the future installation of the bypass around the town.
Five recommendations were put to the Upper Hunter Shire Council at Monday evening’s ordinary council meeting which were all passed.
The plan is to disestablish the past existing committees in each town of the shire, and establish an overall Upper Hunter CBD Redevelopment Committee which will oversee working parties in Scone, Aberdeen, Merriwa and Murrurundi.
A new charter for the redevelopment committee was approved and Councillors Ron Campbell and Wayne Bedggood were nominated as councillor representatives on the committee.
The council is now calling for expressions of interest from members of the public to play a notable role on the Upper Hunter CBD Redevelopment Committee, and ask all interested people to contact the council to discuss.
The council has also allocated funds in the 2015-2016 budget to enhance the CBD, however planned decisions are required to use the funds appropriately.
Upper Hunter Shire Council Economic Development and Tourism manager Sean Constable said the master plan has changed due to the bypass and overpass projects and it’s time to step back and take a look at what we want for Scone in five years’ time and beyond.
“We need to consider aspects such as parking, public toilets, street cafe seating, as well as the visual aspects of gardens.
“The plan is to engage a consultant to prepare an updated CBD master plan, as well as creating a plan for each sub-committee in each town in the shire,” he said.
“We’re looking for people who are interested in their town with a bit of foresight to join the committee.
“This is an exciting time as it is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something with the main street, as once the bypass is built and if we haven’t revamped the CBD, traffic will start to go around and it will be too late.
“This is where signage will play a big role.”
Upper Hunter Shire mayor Michael Johnsen said the council will ensure that future plans will put the council in good stead for funding applications, which will help to ensure the projects are followed through and positive results achieved.
An Expressions of Interest form for the new Upper Hunter CBD Redevelopment Committee is available on the council’s website at www.upperhunter. nsw.gov.au