New look and feel for Bay CBD

Batemans Bay CBD is due for a new look and feel after Eurobodalla Council approved final designs for a $1.26 million streetscaping project. Footpaths will be upgraded, more trees planted, new lighting installed, as well as new street furniture and areas designed for outdoor dining. There will also be more parking and the roads will be resurfaced.

The plans for Orient Street and North Street were developed by a landscape architect with input from a project committee of Batemans Bay business and community representatives, as well as business owners and shoppers who had an opportunity to contribute their ideas to the plans late last year.

In March, two variations of the plans were put on public exhibition to obtain feedback from the community and sent directly to local businesses and interest groups. Council’s Director of Infrastructure Warren Sharpe said around 100 shoppers, visitors and business owners stopped in at Council’s street stalls to view the plans and talk directly to the architect and project engineer. “We also had 140 individuals complete the feedback survey, and a live onsite interview streamed by the Bay Post and shared on Facebook received over 800 views. The final plans are a combination of the two options presented to the community and the feedback we received,” said Mr Sharpe.

“Modifications to the final plans include an increase in both the number of parking spaces and the number of street trees in the CBD, which is the optimum outcome for everyone,” he said.

“Concerns raised about the quality of street paving will be addressed and the proposed litter bin, bicycle parking and furniture locations were reviewed to make sure there is an adequate number of each in the most suitable locations.

“We are also looking at involving community groups and Council’s Public Arts Advisory Committee to help develop public art and feature totem poles that will complement the new lighting, seating and alfresco dining areas.”

Mr Sharpe added that the proposed ‘pop-up’ kiosk for community groups to promote their events was not part of the original scope, but following broad general community support, Council will seek extra funds to include the structure in the streetscape works.

The CBD streetscape upgrade will include Orient Street between North Street and Beach Road and the south side of North Street between Orient and Perry Streets. The works are being funded by the special rate variation for completion in the 2016-17 financial year.

In response to the community feedback, Council is also looking at including the plaza area near the bakehouse and the pedestrian thoroughfare to the Village Centre in the project, as well as the laneway between Promenade Plaza and the waterfront.