New parklets for Mullumbimby as Talking Street trial kicks off

New parklets for Mullumbimby as Talking Street trial kicks off

Published on 25 March 2021

Two new, temporary wooden parklets will be popping up in the Mullumbimby CBD on Friday 26 March as Council kicks off its eight month Talking Streets trial thanks to a grant from the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces fund.

The new parklets feature built-in wooden seating, tables, planter boxes and umbrellas - and Council has invited local high school students to contribute artwork for the space.

The parklets are the first of several initiatives being trialled to test new ideas and ways to turn Burringbar Street and the town centre into a more attractive, safe and people-friendly public space.

“Everyone’s invited to come and enjoy these two temporary new parklet spaces which are perfect for meeting up with friends or enjoying a coffee or lunch, or having a good natter with a mate on the street,” Byron Shire Council Mayor Simon Richardson said.

“The idea of this project is for us all to try these temporary additions to the town out and decide what we think of them and whether we’d like to see parklets and more public spaces considered as a permanent feature in the future.

“So we encourage everyone to spend some time trying these new things out and then tell us what you think at Your Say Byron Shire - or you can come into Council’s foyer and drop your thoughts into a feedback box,” he said.

Other initiatives of the Talking Street trial project include:

a new, temporary pedestrian crossing at the eastern end of Burringbar Street, near the Commonwealth Bank a reduced 30km/h speed zone for the project area (Burringbar Street and central Stuart Street) the opportunity for smaller parklet spaces for local businesses (to be made available through an EoI process) beautification of the Burringbar Street intersection.

The new parklets will be temporarily installed out the front of Mullumbimby Herbals in the taxi rank and out the front of the newsagent on Stuart Street near the bus stop (please note: the bus stop will continue to operate from its normal space).

For more information on the Talking Streets trial project go to www.byron.nsw.gov.au and feedback is encouraged at www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au/talkingstreetstrial

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.