Community petition to improve Hinds Street area gains traction

The spirit of community collaboration was in the air as Hinds Street residents, council representatives, and Summit housing development officers gathered to discuss plans and funding for an area of town that will no longer be forgotten.

Members met at Winanga-Li House in the Hinds Street hub on June 26 to set priorities and possible funding avenues for the community-led project that is fast gaining momentum.

What started as a petition by residents Bill Chiplin and Joe Trindall to address the lack of appropriate lighting, footpath access and safety for children and elderly who use the busy street has brought a spotlight directly to the community, as well as answering a call for help.

After Mr Chiplin’s petition to light up Hinds Street received 350 community-wide signatures, the residents’ efforts caught the attention of councillor John Clements, Member for Barwon Roy Butler, and Narrabri Shire Council.

Resident Marilyn Binge led the meeting, and Winanga-Li House provided strong representation as the gathering point for the community and children in the area, inviting council members, Narrabri Aboriginal Land Council chair Coral Toomey, residents, and housing development officers who congregated to show commitment, offer advice, and show support to the worthy project.

Cr Clements, an early supporter of the Hinds Street initiative said he had not properly gauged the seriousness of what was happening on Hinds Street until Mrs Binge brought the group’s petition to his attention.

“It’s a neglected part of town, and it’s unacceptable,” said Cr Clements.

“This is the first time it has been properly brought to my attention, and it’s so significant because it’s the residents who have banded together who are the ones driving this, they are taking all the initiative.

“Not to have street lighting, burnt out houses, young people who want to use their parks but can’t because they are overgrown, these are very basic needs and things that should and can be done.”

When the petition started earlier this year, Mr Chiplin didn’t want this to be another forgotten initiative and expressed as much to Cr Clements.

“I told Cr Clements; I don’t want you to come here and then forget us,” said Mr Chiplin.

“But he came back and saw how dangerous the place is at night like he promised and agreed that there needs to be more lighting put in.

“He also came back with other council members who saw to it that Park Crescent and Blanche Peadon Drive park playground were cleaned up, and they came and removed a house that had been burned down around fifteen years ago.”

Along with his promise to do more for the Hinds Street community, Cr Clements sought out the consultation of council general manager Rob Williams and his expertise in driving community projects.

“We went for a drive, took in the problems, and met and listened to what people wanted to say,” said Cr Clements.

At the meeting, Mr Williams offered his insights and support for the project, identifying that finding the appropriate funding channels would be a critical starting point, for which the search could be aided by the council grants officer.

As well as stating the council’s commitment to the community-led project he said employing someone on behalf of the community group to guide the project and liaise with the council would be ideal for such a large project.

Mr Williams said “The council is on board and has already identified potential sources for funding that could apply to the roads, lighting, and footpaths in the area.

“If we can get the state government to commit funding, then we have more of a chance of securing Commonwealth government help too, which is where Roy Butler’s office will be a great help.

“A key fund we have identified so far is the Indigenous advancement strategy which has $5.2 billion in Commonwealth funding available for advancing outcomes for lives of people in Indigenous communities.

“Gaining access to a state fund such as the new NSW $100 million commitment to renewable energy for local government initiatives could also provide us with a good link to receiving commonwealth funding, which is where Roy Butler’s office will be a serious help.”

Senior electorate officer for Roy Butler’s office Mel Manchee was also committed to Mr Butler’s office involvement in gathering the right state support.

“This is very exciting, I have never seen this kind of community collaboration in this area, I have lived here for 13 years, and I can sense the change this time,” she said.

“People are coming together, and we all are, we all want to see change and build up the community here.”

Echoing Mrs Manchee’s sentiments was Narrabri Shire Council’s director of planning and sustainability Donna Ausling who also attended the meeting and felt an optimistic outcome for the future of Hinds Street.

Mrs Ausling said, “This is such a great example of community collaboration; it is a very positive initiative and I believe that there is a lot of good that can be done.”