Arts project a bright boost for Boggabri businesses

A public arts project being driven by the Boggabri Business Chamber will provide a bright boost to businesses in the town.

Funding from Narrabri Shire Council to the tune of $120,000, approved at its October meeting, will ensure the initiative can grow in the community.

The chamber hopes one of the main outcomes of its streetscape project will be to lure visitors off the highway and into the town to explore local businesses.

The businesses to take part in the first stage of the project include Boggabri Hardware and Rural Supplies, Wadette’s Fashions, the post office, McKechnie Bros, Boggabri Meats and the Commercial Hotel.

Chamber president Joanne Bell, whose hardware business will feature in the public arts trail, will see a mural adorn her building while other businesses will feature intricate metalwork.

“The funding will keep the momentum happening,” she said.

“We will be able to include other businesses and complete some signage thanks to the support from council. We are grateful for the good working relationship we have with council.”

She said the project came about as visitors to the town often weren’t aware there was more to Boggabri than what they see on the highway.

“We can’t move our buildings to the highway,” she said.

“The idea of the project is to draw traffic off the highway and into the town.”

The project has grown from being focused on the town’s main shopping street, Merton Street, to incorporating surrounding areas and businesses.

With businesses suffering from an extended drought, Mrs Bell said some were getting to the point of desperation, and it was hoped the street arts project would brighten the town.

“Out of a bad situation, let’s bring something positive,” Mrs Bell said. “As businesses, this project has brought us together.

Work has started on a mural on Mrs Bell’s business, Boggabri Hardware and Rural Supplies.

Gunnedah artist Helen Stanley, with the help of Jennifer Hutchison, was busily working on the Australiana-themed artwork to adorn Mrs Bell’s shop this week.

Mrs Stanley said the public arts initiative in Boggabri was terrifically exciting.

“It’s an amazing project,” she told The Courier.

“It will bring life to the town.”

At the recent Narrabri Shire Council meeting, councillor Maxine Booby moved that council support the project.

“It looks interesting. It will liven up buildings,” she said of the project.

“I see lots of positives in this.”

Funding for the project will be provided from the Maules Creek Mine voluntary planning agreement.

At the meeting, council also agreed to allocate $60,000 from the VPA fund towards promotions and building improvements for the Boggabri Tractor Shed.