THE Coonamble Shire Masterplan is set to be revealed to the public after Council voted at their April meeting to place the draft document on public display.
Local residents will have 28 days to view the multiple components and provide written feedback on the Masterplan, which is set to guide council’s planning for the next 5-10 Years.
Four mapped plans showing sites and details of proposed developments in Quambone, Gulargambone, Coonamble North and Coonamble South are included in the draft documents.
There are also detailed project masterplans containing more information on the key projects including a mineral spa and resort on a portion of the Coonamble Racecourse Reserve; a Visitor Information Centre in Smith Park; and proposed upgrades for Coonamble’s main street.
Among the features proposed for the main section of Castlereagh Street, the masterplan shows a combination of parallel and centre parking, and revamped pedestrian access across the middle of Castlereagh Street and up Skilman’s Lane between the Sons of the Soil Hotel and the AJF Brien building to an upgraded carpark with additional shade trees and improved layout.
A suggestion that created quite a bit of discussion among Councillors at the meeting was the roundabout proposed for the town’s troublesome main intersection, which the consultants Sala4D say has been designed to accommodate road trains by allowing vehicles to drive over it when necessary.
The long-awaited bore baths concept for the site adjacent to Coonamble Golf Club would see the area transformed into a sophisticated ‘mineral spa’ with a conference centre, reception building and large and small on-site accommodation options.
“The consultants Sala4D are recommending something more sophisticated that the offerings currently available in the marketplace,” General Manager Hein Basson explained at the meeting.
Economic Development Officer Pip Goldsmith pointed out that Council could seek funding to design and construct the facility, and that the project could be built in stages, however the scale of the Mineral Spa Resort became a contentious topic among the councillors with two schools of thought emerging.
“I thought we were trying to make it RV friendly and not so elaborate as this,” said Cr Churchill. “We don’t need a taj mahal.”
Mayor Ahmed Karanouh disagreed.
“We wanted the taj mahal of artesian pools,” Mr Karanouh said. “The state government likes the idea of going bigger not smaller and we want something substantial.”
“Gone are the days when you have to stage big things like that,” he said.
The omission of a designated parking area for Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and campers was pointed out by Cr Pat Cullen but this has been rectified in the plans to be placed on public display.
In Quambone, the 2019 community workshops highlighted a desire for better footpaths connecting the school and the playground as well as an upgrade to playground in Tucka Tucka Street. The Masterplan includes a proposal for a tourism kiosk; wi-fi; public amenities; picnic area and seating; youth zone play equipment and outdoor ping-pong tables for casual hanging out and perching in the playground.
The consultants also explained that improvements to Lions Park and better connectivity with Gulargambone Creek were high on the agenda for the Gulargambone community and that their designs address these and other issues raised in the workshops.
Flexible outdoor spaces for event hosting, improved footpaths, and an upgrade to the tennis courts and sportsground to create a ‘village green’ atmosphere are among the recommendations for Gulargambone.
The Masterplan consultants have recommended that Council commission ‘Street Tree Masterplans’ for Coonamble, Quambone and Gulargambone to improve town presentation and provide shade amenity as well as a ‘Wayfinding and Interpretation Signage package’ to optimise active travel and tourism opportunities with all three communities.
A Bike Plan or Active Travel Plan is also on the wishlist, along with the design of original artwork along shared paths representing Aboriginal daily life in locations such as the Castlereagh River and Tin Town.
Comments and submissions on the Masterplan are invited in writing before Tuesday 12 May 2020.