Plan takes to the streets

OPINIONS are being sought on the controversial Stanthorpe Town Centre Masterplan.
The council has engaged the services of designers John Mongard Landscape Architects to prepare a plan to improve the CBD at a cost of more than $80,000.
But doubts about whether the council can afford the proposed enhancements in its current financial state have been raised.
Mayor Peter Blundell said the Stanthorpe High Street already had some key features such as the Piazza and local artwork built into the streetscape but a comprehensive master plan would ensure the whole main street was eye-catching and became a talking point for locals and tourists.
“John Mongard has done design work for Stanthorpe over the past 10 years and he is looking forward to building on this good foundation,” Cr Blundell said.
“John and his team will hold a series of forums to seek community opinion about the Stanthorpe streetscape and there will also be an Ideas Shop Front at 13 Maryland Street, known as the ‘old sports shop’ on the corner of Railway and Maryland streets for people to drop in, discuss ideas, ask questions and provide feedback.
Mr Mongard said he was looking forward to being in Stanthorpe and hearing community views about the streetscape project.
“The purpose of the ideas shopfront is to help create a masterplan which is well grounded in what people want for their town’s future,” Mr Mongard said.
“We’re encouraging people to think of ways of better linking the main street into the rest of the town.
“The shop becomes space to exhibit the growing list of ideas and issues of the community.”
The shop at 13 Maryland Street will be open on Friday 20 February from 1pm to 5pm and Saturday 21 February from 9am to 1pm.