Plans to finish Fitzroy Plaza

Tamworth Regional Council is seeking Council approval to implement upgrades to Fitzroy Plaza, in order to further accommodate community members and events within the multi-purpose space. 

Following workshops held with the Tamworth City Centre Working Group (TCCWG) in November 2018 and again in February 2019, Council has identified collective priorities when it comes to finalising the space. 

A report will be put forward to Council at the next meeting on Tuesday 26 March indicating that planting mature shaded trees, the installation of living umbrellas with seating underneath, placement of a ribbon seat and the installation of tactile hazard markers are recommended to be the most efficient, short term solutions. 

A longer-term recommendation to Council is to investigate catenary lighting to be strung across the space to create a night time lighting feature.

“Every great city has a great heart. This space is in the heart of Tamworth and we want to ensure that people love to come to it to meet, greet, eat, relax, be entertained and to celebrate. The feedback we have had is that in order for this to happen we need to put in place plenty of shade and comfortable seating.” said Mr. Brent McAlister, Director of Planning and Compliance at Tamworth Regional Council.

The total estimated cost of the recommended plans to finish Fitzroy Plaza is $816,885. The remaining $349,000 funds in the Fitzroy Street Upgrade Project budget will be used, with the report recommending that the remaining balance be allocated from the Civil Construction Reserve funds. 

“Tamworth has one of the best main streets in regional Australia largely due to the mature trees and plentiful comfortable seating. We want to continue that through to this space given its a winning formula. This is also important for the major events that happen in this space”. 

“This week we visited business operators around the space, and everyone visited strongly supported what is proposed,” explained Mr. McAlister.

The report recommending the finishing touches to Fitzroy Plaza be endorsed, will be presented to Council at an Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 26 March 2019. 

For more information and to access images from the project visit https://yourvoice.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/finishingfitzroy or to view the report in its entirety, visit www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/.