Narrabri Shire Council endorsed the ‘draft Wee Waa CBD and Surrounds masterplan’ at last week’s ordinary council meeting.
The draft master plan captures the redevelopment of the Community and Business Centre (the old National Australia Bank building), enhancement of the central business district, and improvements to Dangar Park.
It will be placed on public exhibition until 5pm on Wednesday, May 29.
A public open day will be held by NSC on Wednesday, May 15 between 12pm and 6pm at the old National Australia Bank building, 75 Rose Street, Wee Waa.
Councillor John Clements put the Wee Waa motion forward and deputy mayor Brett Dickinson was the seconder, all councillors present voted in favour of the motion.
Councillors also supported a report being returned to council following the conclusion of the public exhibition period at the ‘next available ordinary council meeting detailing the results of the public exhibition’.
Council said it welcomed residents’ feedback and encouraged all community members to participate in the development process.
As previously reported, council secured a grant of $2,554,705, through the Resources for Regions fund, for the proposed Wee Waa
Community and Business Hub and consultation about the future use of the old
National Australia Bank building and War Memorial area and park has been underway.
In 2021, NAB closed the bank’s Wee Waa branch and gifted the Rose Street premises to Narrabri Shire Council for community use.
It’s understood one of the conditions of the gift transfer is the premises can’t be used by another financial institution or bank.
Council has secured funding for the old NAB building project and any features of the building that can be incorporated to complement the surrounding Memory Grove area might be able to be included in the budget, but it’s understood the remainder of funding for the CBD Memory Grove area and Dangar Park will need to be sourced.
However, the development of the master plan for Dangar Park and the Memory Grove area has been funded. And, once developed, master plans can help secure funding for future upgrades because they are able to show a funding body that the project has already been engaged on, planned and is shovel ready.
The draft master plan includes concept art for two options for the old NAB building, streetscaping for the Rose Street/War Memorial precinct and Dangar Park, which NSC said has been developed directly based on community feedback.
Option A is a proposal to demolish the current building and construct a new one in its place, due to the challenges of retrofitting an older building to make it compliant with current building and accessibility standards.
Option B has been prepared, if the community wishes to retain the existing building, and is a proposal to refurbish the building.
The draft master plan is not yet final and there is time for changes if required.
The public is able to have its say on the two options developed.
NSC said the idea of a Community and Business Centre stems directly from the results of the last round of engagement.
During the community consultation sessions, residents have had the chance to make suggestions about the use and facilities at the space, however, these have not been finalised.
Some suggestions from the sessions include: a tourism hub and cultural area; a community multi-purpose centre to cater for a range of individuals, professionals and groups, for example, a band area and storage space, meeting rooms, office for a NSC representative, or other services such as Service NSW, a help point for older residents needing assistance with technology, storage space for community and chamber furniture; memorial wall; public amenities; community kiosk; CCTV viewing room; relocation art and cultural centre; recreation and sporting facilities; co-working spaces; educational and learning hub; performance and concert area; kitchen and catering facilities; exhibition space; extra-curricular activities for children and youth; medical facilities; better footpaths; and an outdoor play/garden area.
Ideas floated for improvements to Dangar Park include a walking track, leash-free area for dogs, sport and recreation park facilities, basketball courts, baseball pitch and field, more caravan parking, Indigenous themed garden, new picnic and barbecue area, a pump track – purpose-built track for cycling, caravan parking, water park, footpaths and walking track, new lighting, and a multi-use games arena.
Community suggestions for the Memory Grove area have included: keeping the jacaranda trees, new war story boards, bollards placed into the garden areas near the path, repaint the existing fence in rich earthy colours to complement the clock,
statues of soldiers, additional seating within the memorial space, memorial plaques with historical information, walkways or pathways for contemplation and reflection; First Nations memorial.
The draft master plan can be found on council’s website or at the Wee Waa Newsagency and library.
Submissions must be made in
writing to the general manager via email to [email protected], via mail to PO Box 261, Narrabri 2390, in person at Council’s Admin Building (46-48 Maitland Street, Narrabri) or via the Wee Waa CBD and Surrounds Master Plan Survey. The survey can be completed online via council’s website or in person at Wee Waa Library.
SESSION DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, 15 May
Time: 12.00pm – 6.00pm
Location: 75 Rose Street, Wee Waa
For more information, please visit Council’s website or contact Council’s Manager Parks and Open Spaces at 02 6799 6866 or [email protected]
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