The National Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) last week acknowledged the success of Taree’s town centre improvements, awarding it second best in its category.
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Receiving a commendation in the hard won victory category, Taree’s innovative program of improvements was recognised as having “revitalised the streets, reinvigorated community spirit in the town and increased confidence in the commercial rental market."
Taree’s innovative program of improvements was recognised as having “revitalised the streets, reinvigorated community spirit in the town and increased confidence in the commercial rental market”
The improvement program combined the work of Tidy Up Taree, whose efforts included cleaning up the streets, improving CBD toilets and creating a town meeting place, the Night Bazaar team who have been responsible for activating the town centre with a series of popular community events, and Greater Taree City Council’s Vibrant Spaces project which encourages business-owners to add colour, movement, sound and interest along the footpaths, enticing shoppers to stop, look, linger and enjoy the experience.
MidCoast Council team leader landuse planning Sue Calvin presented the project at the PIA conference where the awards were presented, and was overwhelmed by the interest it received.
“Planners from across Australia were intrigued to see how a small town can work together with their community to make such a marked difference. Presenting amongst projects with large budgets and resources, ours demonstrated that combining a strong community spirit with good planning to stimulate use of our main shopping streets can be very rewarding”, she said.
“Planners from across Australia were intrigued to see how a small town can work together with their community to make such a marked difference"
- MidCoast Council team leader landuse planning Sue Calvin
The improvement program was awarded the top prize in PIA’s state awards late last year, paving its way forward as a finalist in the national awards. Its commendation placed it second behind the winning project, a landfill remediation conducted in South Australia for the City of Onkaparinga.
Catherine Calvin from the Night Bazaar team was “delighted to receive a commendation from these prestigious awards. We hope people will continue to embrace and support council and community efforts to improve business opportunities in Taree”.
And from the Tidy Up Taree team, Graham Brown believes the commendation is a well-deserved recognition for how our community, businesses and council continue to work successfully together.
“Through this award and presentation at the National Conference, we’re putting Taree on the map for positive and ground-breaking work” he said.
As a combined effort, the project was made possible through the contribution by so many individuals of countless hours, many doing so in a voluntary capacity.
“This award is testament to what can be achieved by an active community who are empowered to make a difference. Everyone involved in every aspect of this project must be thanked and should feel very proud," added Sue.
The Vibrant Spaces program has now rolled out to Wingham, Old Bar and Harrington. For more information, visit www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au