Master Plan for Tenterfield’s Main Street revealed

Retaining Tenterfield’s rich heritage, improving accessibility and addressing youth unemployment issues were all listed as top priorities in the Tenterfield Main Street Master Plan announced on Tuesday, March 12.

The $2 million master plan will be rolled out over five stages, with the largest portion of money being allocated to carrying out improvements at Bruxner Park ($837,000).

Tenterfield Shire Council and the community have been presented with the Main Street Master Plan which is based on extensive community consultation and with an overwhelming support from all involved, including Councillors, residents and businesses.

The Social Plan identified elements of importance to the main street and included the following.

• Improved pedestrian safety.

• Greater professional employment oppor-tunities for youths.

• Vacant shop fronts and a sense of community have been lost, while the existing identity needs to be kept.

• Need to support and strengthen heritage values.

• Low cost transport and access options.

• Greater support for cultural events or annual festivals.

• To plan for increases in disabled and less mobile pedestrians.

• Improve access to the town centre, from the periphery and from the villages.

• Support local artists.

• Maintain affordable housing options for youth, older people and people with disabilities.

• To support the economic sustainability of small businesses, to preserve heritage buildings.

• Promote bike riding.

• Improvements to green spaces and facilities, to support local business projects.

The Plan was prepared by John Mongard Landscape Architects and is now presented to the community for information and further comment.

Look out for more on the Tenterfield Main Street Master Plan in Next week’s Free Times.