Bangalow Village Overall

Black text – from previous Guidance Group workshops

Maroon text - from Guidance Group Precincts Workshop

Green text - from Land Owners workshop

Existing values and functions to protect

Issues

Future directions

Actions/opportunities

Heritage

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·        Historical society not consulted on DAs within conservation areas

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·        Development applications for modifications to  heritage buildings – Council staff (Heritage Advisor) to consult with Bangalow Historical Society who have photo records of buildings etcetera.

·        Design a heritage walk/cycling trail around the village with signage, map, app.

Built Form

·       

·        Need tighter controls to stop inappropriate modifications to heritage buildings.

·        Shop signage not in keeping with heritage conservation and village character. Signage at Foodworks is an example of inappropriate signage in the Heritage Conservation Area.

·       

·           Prepare built form character guidelines in the DCP – in particular for different character precincts within the CBD and heritage character areas to guide building and streetscape character and integration of new developments.

·           DCP to articulate that heritage buildings to be conserved as close as possible to their original form including paint colours. New additions to be separate and not dominate the original item. These can be contemporary in design but should complement the original item.

·           Introduce a pre-lodgement workshop process for key development or sites which have the potential to significantly  impact public amenity whereby a pre-lodgement workshop can be facilitated including:

o   Developer

o   Developers designers

o   Council DA and design staff

o   Independent designer/s

o   Community representatives /stakeholders (this could be a few members from a place Guidance Group and/or a number of random community members from that town).

·           Council to establish an Expert Design Panel (of architects and urban design professionals) who can have input into the assessment of major development applications for Bangalow, prior  to DA lodgement (including smaller developments located on key sites within the village).

·           Council to include a flexibility clause in its LEP to enable major DAs  to be referred to the Expert Design Panel  for merit based assessment to allow innovations in design which may not comply with existing  development controls.

·           Council to liaise with NSW Dept Planning to review development controls  which are preventing:

o    alterations to internally divide heritage buildings to create smaller shops

o    residential uses being located other than above a shop in mixed use developments.

o    Eco-tourism and wellness retreats (eg yoga,  meditation retreats) on rural properties

·           Byron young Innovators - Develop incubator and hub for young people to encourage entrepreneurship in the shire

·           Review development controls for shop signage, so signage is more sensitive to the heritage character.

Access & Movement

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·        Lismore-Granuaille Rd is a highway within a small village – a main road trying to also be a local street - which creates conflicts. The RMS road is a barrier to pedestrian movement in the village.

·        Concern that many cars do not give way at the Lismore-Granuaille Rd roundabout and the roundabout is unsafe for pedestrians.

·        Need formalised pedestrian crossing points on Lismore-Granuaille Rd to improve pedestrian connectivity and movement within the village (especially near Readings store and Leslie St).

·        Traffic speeds on Lismore Rd near Rifle Range Rd and the industrial estate are too high and need review.

·        Improve walking and cycling opportunities in the village especially the links to the town centre and school. Enabling children to move about independently will significantly reduce the number of car movements in the village.

·        Promote a healthy community by designing in circuits for recreational walking/ cycling.

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·        Council to liaise with RMS to improve the amenity and pedestrian friendliness of Lismore-Granuaille Road. The road is currently a major barrier to pedestrian movement within the village.

·        Community would like to see road edge and landscaping treatments (not just signs signalling traffic to slow down – actual physical changes) from Readings Store to the Service station (on Granuaille Rd).  This is needed to create a sense of enclosure and arrival in the village; to slow vehicles down and improve pedestrian safety and amenity. Install pedestrian crossing treatments to enable pedestrians to safely cross the roads in this central area (especially near Readings store, the roundabout and Leslie St).

·        Encourage large trucks to travel on Bruxner highway by placing a 15 tonne limit on Lismore-Bangalow Rd. Liaise with RMS about this.

·        Prepare an accessible walk/cycle pathway network plan for the village to link residential areas to the town centre, school and community facilities. Design in circuits for recreational walking and cycling to promote community health. Provide shaded seating, bubblers, bins and artwork along the pathway network.

·        Install shared pedestrian/ cycle path in Rail Corridor extending from the Industrial Estate in the west to the Sportsfields in the east. Plan to include night lighting for safety and to maximise useability.

·        Install walk/cycle bridge/s over Byron Creek to link the Showground to the sportsfields and improve connectivity within the village.

·        Encourage people to ‘park & stride’ into town by providing long term parking areas on the periphery of the town centre. Investigate the feasibility of the identified peripheral carparking areas.

·        Link all peripheral carparking areas with attractive shaded pathways to the town centre.

·        Upgrade laneway links in the locations identified. Where laneways are on private property Council to liaise with property owners to facilitate community access and upgrading.

·        Review speed zones on Granuaille - Lismore Road. Extend the 60km/hr zone to western side of the industrial estate.

·        Review and relocate bus stops from Memorial Park, Choux Bakery, Red Ginger. Potential new locations in front of the school and in Deacon St. Need a safe all-weather school bus stop at junction of Lismore Rd/ Rifle Range Rd.

·       

Housing

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·        Ensure forms of diverse housing do not ruin the heritage character.

·        Dwellings (in particular secondary dwellings) are being permanently holiday let or reserved for holiday letting. This is taking away from the permanent housing stock of a much needed smaller housing form that has great demand in Mullumbimby and the shire.

·       

·        Caravan Parks

·        Introduce a policy that prohibits holiday letting of secondary dwellings.

Public Domain (Parks, open spaces)

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·        Activate the rail corridor for community use

·        Need at least one park in the village with good children’s play facilities, BBQs and toilets where locals can hold children’s birthday parties and family gatherings. Potential locations:

o   Charlotte St park

o   Bangalow Parklands

o   Rail Corridor

o   Steep park in Rankin Dr

·       

·        New premier parklands in the Rail Corridor with heritage station building restored and repurposed.  Park to reflect Bangalow’s industrial heritage - of the railway sidings, timber yards and dairying.

·        Primary school would like an Indigenous Interpretive Trail,  Bush Tucker garden or similar to teach children about Aboriginal culture and to visit during NAIDOC week. Council to liaise with indigenous representatives and the school to identify suitable location. Bangalow Parklands is suggested.

·        Identify best location for a Community Garden. Potential locations to be investigated:

o   Rail Corridor

o   Showground

o   Bangalow Parklands

o   Catholic Church land

Public Domain (Streetscape)

·       

·       

·       

·        Beautify the town entry points.

·        Program for improved main street maintenance by Council.

·        Water stations and end of trip facilities (showers, lockers, bike racks) for people cycling and walking around the town

·        Village street tree planting program.

·        Design a suite of way-finding signage for the village showing the walk/cycle pathway network and other features. Include indigenous interpretation eg. place naming.

·        Engage consultants (Urban Designers & Landscape Architects ) to prepare integrated designs for:

®        Rail Corridor Park

®        Byron and Station St streetscape upgrades

®        new public space in front of the A&I Hall

®        concept for mixed use development on private property within “The Triangle”

Natural Environment

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·       

·       

·        Green corridors strategy for Bangalow – to identify priority areas for revegetation/rehabilitation of native vegetation for biodiversity outcomes (including riparian corridors and koala conservation).

·        Continue revegetation of Byron Creek corridor and tributaries.

·        Council to prepare ‘Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines’ to ensure new developments in Bangalow, including Council projects, manage stormwater in a sustainable way and maintain the character of streets and laneways in Heritage Conservation Areas.

Culture (Public Art)

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·       

·       

·        Incorporate sculpture/ artworks along village pathway network as destination points, points of interest.

·        Process needed for community /Council to screen art where art on private property is very visible in a public place. To ensure the art fits in with the character of the area

Culture (Events)

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·        Pop up food tents and businesses are not seen as fair for the permanent businesses in the town – much lower fees and taking away business.

·        Many people wanting to do events the week they call Council without realising the process that’s involved. More lead up time required.

·       

·        Invite local businesses first to participate in any proposed pop-up shop, market or temporary/trial events

Culture (Heritage)

·       

·       

·       

·        Consult with indigenous leaders about opportunities for interpretive material, artwork, or other expression of Aboriginal cultural heritage and values in the public domain.

Community

·        High entrepreneurship in the shire

·        High rate of volunteering

·        Quite high SEIFA (Socio-economic index) for Bangalow – 2^nd highest after Ewingsdale.

·        Real need for more childcare – esp. kids from 0-2 – more preschool places needed – long day-care

·       

·        More childcare services required. Proposed new centre in Byron St east near Bowling Club.

·        Provide more facilities for youth (teenagers):

o   Build the swimming pool

o   Program of events at the skatepark (music, skate comps)

o   New youth hang out space in the Showground

·        Love Byron Halls initiative – use halls to recreate interact and build community bonds

·        Build the swimming pool

·        Guidance Group to be consulted every year on Council Hall/Venue rental fees

Sustainability

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·        Improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity throughout village

·        Organics management and utilisation of waste

·        Water sensitive urban design for all CBD streetscape upgrades and new carparking areas.

·        Community ownership of renewable energy

·        Retrofitting and sustainable design

·        Encourage holistic agricultural practices

·        More cycling infrastructure

·        Better public/shared transport. Create public transport option from surrounding rural areas into town

·        Recycling bins to replace existing rubbish bins in the town centre.

·        Encourage/ cater for electric vehicles. Identify best location for an electric vehicle charging station in town. Heritage House could be a possible location.

·        Water sensitive urban design for all CBD streetscape upgrades and new peripheral carparking areas.

Sustainability (transport)

·       

·        Very little traffic calming

·        Heavy reliance on private vehicle

·        Light rail/solar train to bring people from Byron To Bangalow particularly on event days – reduction of car trips to Bangalow. Could still fit cycle paths next to this.

·       

·        Make footpaths user friendly, comfortable (shady) and interesting to encourage people to walk.

·        Car-pooling points

·        Council’s Feasibility study for light rail and mixed uses in the rail corridor

Sustainability (Energy)

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·       

·        Reduce emissions to zero

·        To be energy efficient

·        Encourage solar panels

·        Incentive to install solar panels

·        Advanced battery storage

Sustainability (Land Use)

·        Useful primary agriculture land to preserve and enhance

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·        Utilising valuable agriculture land for market gardens

·        Preventing urban sprawl

·        No rezoning of prime agriculture land

·        Preserve rainforest where it exists

Sustainability (Built environment)

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·       

·        Lighting panel that don’t detract from heritage building

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·        Connection of footpaths to reduce car trips

·        Raising awareness of sustainable building materials and how to build with them

·        Showcase of heritage houses where heritage has been preserved but sustainable additions have been added.

·        Buildings built to the right aspect for our climates

Sustainability (Waste)

·        We emit relatively lower CO2 than rest of Aus.

·        STW – bamboo planted there was meant to be managed.

·        Encourage composting

·        Plastic Bag free Bangalow

·        Shared commercial/restaurant compost waste

·        Donation of leftover food to homeless

·        All cafes to have BYO cups

·        Waste management strategy for no waste events.

·        Education on waste management starting with schools

·        Waste free main street

·        Bamboo grown at STP can be used for building

·        Heritage style recycled rubbish bins added

·        Reuse of sewerage sludge

·        Re-promote annual kerbside pickup

·        Weekly fixing shop at the Men’s Shed

Economy

·        Amenity & heritage buildings in town centre are key economic drivers

·        Agriculture –business

·        Good at growing micro and start-up businesses into bigger businesses

·        Growth of 18.6% of new businesses – small – number 4 in NSW in small/micro businesses.

·        Increases in 25-35 year old young families.

·        Lots of home based creative sector businesses

·        Overwhelm of tourists in Bangalow from survey, but GG feel it’s at a good level. Lots of local events mean local people and regional

·        Specialist crops in this region

·        Services and trades currently in centre of town and industrial estate

·        Ecologically sustainable construction businesses.

·        Data needed to help support decision making

·        Documents become out of date once new data is available so our plans and strategies need to be agile and adaptable

·        Rural bangalow residents that live in Ballina shire are not included when collecting data around Bangalow.

·        May not be capturing all of the businesses that work from here but are registered in other (city) places.

·        Isolation of small and home businesses. Need support and infrastructure (NBN)

·        Affordability of housing, goods and services.

·        Visitor cars are taking up main street parking and not necessarily spending as much.

·        Land use conflict with agriculture

·        Surrounded by agriculture land so there is restriction of growth

·        Transport barrier due to trucks having to get through the main street of town

·        Construction industry fickle due to ebbs and flows in market. – usually young families who leave when there is no work.

·        Needs of the small and micro business

·        Affordable studio space and collaboration spaces –

·        Clean green farming image

·        STP – opportunity for environmental industries (bamboo harvesting) – sludge and water usage

·        Camphor laurel harvesting industry

·        PEDESTRIAN AMENITY – is a key driver of Bangalow’s economy. Important to conserve and enhance it.

·        Guidance Group and community consultation – use GG to help with finding out who to engage.

·        Professionally fitted out flexible spaces for home based business sector to use and collaborate

·        Roadside stall in front of all rural properties

·        Shared work hubs and incubators

·        Bamboo farm at STP – opportunity to harvest and create a business

·        Eco-tourism on rural properties and small agricultural businesses.

·        Byron young Innovators- Develop incubator and hub for young people to encourage entrepreneurship in the shire

Land Uses

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·        Increase in unoccupied dwellings in Bangalow between 2011 and 2016 census

·       

·        Consultation with the community regarding the Preliminary Draft Residential Strategy to generate a structure plan with an integrated design based on:

o   improving housing diversity and affordability

o   environmental enhancement/biodiversity

o   complementing the heritage character of Bangalow

·        providing for community uses- possible relocation of the primary school

Heritage

SHOWGROUND

·        Key heritage site for the region

·        Within the Bangalow Heritage Conservation Area

SPORTSFIELDS

Bowling Club building a retro 60s gem; functions very well. Highly used

SHOWGROUND

·        Conserve the existing values, functions and uses.

·        If it ain’t broke; don’t fix it! People like it how it is.

SHOWGROUND

·        Keep the sanctuary of the Showgrounds

·        Seek heritage listing for Showgrounds

Built Form

SHOWGROUND

·        Traditional showground sheds, buildings

SHOWGROUND

·        Conserve the existing showground sheds, buildings

·        The heritage Showgrounds and CBD buildings are the quintessential character elements for the village.

Access & Movement

SHOWGROUND

·        Pedestrian thoroughfare- link between residential areas north of rail corridor to town centre and school

·        Fantastic highly valued pedestrian environment.

·        Safe for walking, cycling

·        Children walk to school; safe environment, few cars

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Existing path for recreational walking/ cycling – highly used

SHOWGROUND

·        Byron Creek a barrier to pedestrian movement – need a bridge + pathway links

·        Improve off-road connections for young children walking/ cycling to Bangalow Public School, especially from eastern residential areas (Clover Hill estate)

·        Cars on internal Showground roads conflict with pedestrians  - School kiss’n’drop, cars associated with events

·        Carparking reduces amenity and impacts heritage trees by compacting soil in rootzone.

·        Closed front gates – not clear to visitors if pedestrian access is allowed or not.

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Pathway to nowhere

·        Carparking – potential conflicts with high numbers of  pedestrian at busy times

SHOWGROUND

·        Investigate suitable locations to install pedestrian bridge/s over Byron Creek to link sportsfields to showground. This would:

®        improve safety for young children walking/ cycling to Bangalow Public School, especially from houses in east (Clover Hill)

®        extend opportunities for recreational walking/ cycling

®        reduce car trips into school/ town

·        Conserve the pedestrian priority and experience– Showground is and always should be a pedestrian prioritised zone

·        No carparking (for CBD) in the Showground

·        Minimise car movements up Station Street to Showground.

·        Define a “Pedestrian Conservation Area” in the centre of the village. Develop design principles for future development within this zone to conserve/enhance the pedestrian priority, safety and experience.

·        Investigate options to ensure pedestrian safety in this precinct during events in the Showground and A&I Hall.

·        Improve legibility, way-finding, and safety for pedestrians and cyclists moving within and through the Showgrounds (including school children and tourists).

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Extend the opportunities for walking/ cycling by linking the existing path to the Showgrounds, town centre, school

OVERALL

·        Link Rankin Drive (east) to the  Sportsfields + Bowlo + Clover Hill Estate

·        Provide circuits for recreational walking and cycling, to support resident’s health

·        Improve the pathway network to encourage safe walking/ cycling within the village

·        Link the Showground to the Sportsfields - Three potential bridge locations were proposed and considered. See Evaluation Table (attached at the end of this document).

SHOWGROUND

·        Install walk/cycle bridges across Byron Creek to link the Showground to the Sportsfields. Three potential locations were identified - see Evaluation Table attached at the end of this Table. From this evaluation Council Staff recommend two bridges – Options 2 and 3, as Option 1 does not give any appreciable benefit in terms of improving north-south pedestrian connectivity in the village.

·        Design a pathway system within the Showground that will not interfere with events, markets and provides most direct routes to connect the village.

·        Design a suite of way-finding signage showing the pathway network.

·        Design a heritage trail through the Showground for tourists with map and/or online app showing paths and other features eg heritage buildings and structures, significant trees, old rail tunnel.

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Link sportsfields to Showground via bridges over creek (walking/ cycling)

·        Formalise carparking to improve safety

·        Install two pedestrian crossings on Byron Street (east) near (1) junction of Blackwood Crescent and (2) Feros Care.

·        Night-lighting of paths so locals can walk to Bowlo

·        Potential parking in the sportsfields for major events in the Showground

RAIL CORRIDOR

·        Install shared pedestrian/ cycle path in Rail Corridor (extending from the Industrial Estate in the west to the Sportsfields in the east)

OVERALL

·        Prepare a walk/cycle pathway network plan for the precinct which includes:

o   Opening the Showground gates to pedestrians and cyclists (not cars/ trucks) by installing removable bollards at the front gates

o   Installing gates in the perimeter fence around the Showgrounds to enable pedestrian/ cycle access from the rail corridor at strategic locations

o   Pathway links to the school and new bridge over Byron Creek

o   installing shade trees along the pathway network

·        Investigate feasibility of potential peripheral carparking areas in the following locations:

o   in the rail corridor behind the A&I Hall, with access via Leslie St

o   in Ballina St on Council owned land opposite Feros Care

Housing

SHOWGROUND

·        Existing occasional use as a caravan park for insured clubs

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Opportunity for higher density living along Byron St directly adjoining parklands

Public Domain (Parks, open spaces)

SHOWGROUND

·        Iconic public space.

·        Represents the agricultural heritage of the village

·        Quintessential character element – contributes to the green, rural feel and natural character of the village.

·        Greenspace in the centre of the village - highly valued by the community.

·        Contact with nature; mental health and well-being; breathing space close to homes

·        Green rural vistas - houses overlook it; green backdrop to Station St

·        Supports existing agricultural activities and lifestyle pursuits (eg pony club, horse-riding)

·        Safe place for children to play and explore.

·        Dog walking

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Highly valued central greenspace within the village; connected to Showground

·        Visual relief, mountain views, space – get outdoors, fresh air

·        Tranquility, beauty, contact with nature, health, mental health and well-being, breathing space close to homes

·        Social interaction

·        All ages use it

·        Formal sport

·        Licensed club – Bowlo; popular meeting place for families with young children; open fire part of the nature-based, rural village experience;

·        Exercise/ Informal recreation – walking, dog-walking, family bike-riding;

·        Well used

·        Skatepark – youth meeting place

Contributes to the green, rural feel of the village

SHOWGROUND

·        Under pressure to redevelop

·        It ain’t broke!

·        No access across creek

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Not enough shade in sports fields

·        May need expanding in the future

·        Needs toilets

·        Broken causeway

·        Lighting to perimeter path

·        Continue revegetation of creek

SHOWGROUND

·        Improve facilities for CBD workers who use the Showground at lunchtime

·        Rec Needs Study identifies demand for BBQ/ picnic  facilities, firepits in natural areas (requires car access)

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Conserve the natural values; informality; don’t over-develop

SHOWGROUND

·        Open the front gates to allow pedestrian access only; no cars/trucks.

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Plant shade trees

·        Install public toilets

·        Provide shaded seating, bubblers, bins along walking paths

·        Continue revegetation of creek

Public Domain (Streetscape)

SHOWGROUND

·        Poor interface with Station St and town centre generally

·        Existing Scout Hall located close to southern boundary blocks potential pedestrian access and movement along the boundary/ edge to the commercial centre

SHOWGROUND

·        Opportunity to improve legibility, safety and pedestrian movement at inter-face between Showground and Bangalow Public School.

·        Opportunity to improve inter-face between Showground and the public domain in Station Street (and private property at 9 Station St)

A&I Hall

·        Upgrade landscaping and better integrate the A&I Hall with its landscape setting. It can now open up to the Rail Corridor as well as Station Street. Remove the fences and barriers to movement and connect it in to the public realm. Provide outdoor gathering spaces/ spill out spaces directly adjoining the hall.

RAIL CORRIDOR - Link to School

·        Create a clear contiguous walk/cycle pathway from Rail Corridor to the School (back and/or side gate/s)

·        Allow pedestrian/ cycle access from the rail corridor pathway around the rear of the hall. This provides the most direct route through the Showground to the school and the proposed new bridge over the creek (bridge option 2).

·        Provide shaded seating and water bubblers along walking paths, trails

PRECINCT OVERALL

·        Tree planting and landscaping program to:

o   Install shade trees in the Sportsfields

o   Remove and replace Camphor Laurels in the Showground

o   Install street trees in Byron Street and Station Street

·        Enhance the eastern entry to the town from the old highway by landscaping the roundabout and planting street trees on both sides of Byron St

Natural Environment

SHOWGROUND

·        Biodiversity – vegetation buffer to Byron Creek; native birds, animals

·        Heritage Trees (large mature Camphor Laurels and others)

·        Drainage area/ Flood prone lands

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Biodiversity – Native veg along Byron Creek; corridor for native birds/ animals

Drainage area; flood prone land

SHOWGROUND

·        Some heritage plants are environmental weeds

·        Constraint - Flood prone lands; drainage

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Need pedestrian links to Showground

·        Drainage area; flood prone land

No shade to perimeter path

SHOWGROUND

·        Conserve and enhance native vegetation along Byron Creek

·        Conserve large heritage trees and other heritage plantings. s355 Committtee have already engaged Arboriculturist for advice

·        Opportunity for informal recreation - A place to have a fire (in a firepit) and watch the stars

SHOWGROUND

·        Continue bush regeneration along Byron Creek

·        Develop a program of tree replacement for mature  trees in the Showground (esp Camphor Laurels)

·        Install firepits, bbqs, seating, pinic tables (where these won’t interfere with show activities)

Community Facilities

SHOWGROUND

·        Protect the existing community halls and function rooms

·        Important to protect/ manage pricing for hall hire so local community groups can afford to use the local facilities.

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Bowlo is a hub for socialising in Bangalow; an important site.  It is a community- owned facility.

Youth space - skatepark

SHOWGROUND

·        Showground used for carparking for events at A&I Hall

SPORTSFIELDS

Lack of youth facilities in the village - Skatepark is the only youth space

SHOWGROUND

·        Opportunity for camping in Showground? Existing caravan clubs with appropriate insurance already use it.

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Better recognition of the Bowlo as a key site for social interaction in the village. Consult with Bowlo Manager to identify functional issues/ opportunities for improvement.

Enhance/ add to existing youth space (or create additional facilities in other locations)

SHOWGROUND

·        Investigate camping

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Improve pedestrian connections to the Bowlo with lighting

·        Build the swimming pool:

Options - get s94 contributions from developers of new housing; pool constructed as part of a master-planned community; or a  privately owned facility

Culture (Public Art)

SHOWGROUND

·        Some existing public art

 SPORTSFIELDS

·        Temporary installations/ exhibitions eg. Swell Sculpture by the Sea

·        Functional Art

·        Mural on the toilets

Culture (Events)

SHOWGROUND

·        Protect the annual Bangalow Show, monthly Bangalow Market and other community events in the Showground.

·        Social interaction + expression of community values - Showground is site for community gatherings/ events as well as commercial events

SPORTSFIELDS

Youth - music DJ + skate comp events at skatepark

SPORTSFIELDS

·        DJ events (day/night options) at skate park

Culture (Heritage)

SHOWGROUND

·        Opportunity for heritage walk / walking trail for tourists

Sustainability

Economy

SHOWGROUND

·        Supports existing agricultural economy

·        Bangalow Show – one of the only regional shows that is still growing

·        A commercial event &  function space 

SHOWGROUND

·        Opportunity for Guidance Group to be consulted every year on Council Hall/Venue rental fees

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Opportunity for Guidance Group to be consulted every year on Council Hall/Venue rental fees

Land Uses

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Recreation (formal and informal)

SPORTSFIELDS

·        Youth Space

Bangalow Precinct 2 – STP + Industrial Estate

Maroon text - from Guidance Group ‘Precincts Workshop’

Existing values and functions to protect

Issues

Additional future values and functions

Actions/opportunities

Heritage

Built Form

Access & Movement

·        Entry point

·        No pathways connecting the industrial estate to the town centre

·        Rail corridor is underutilized

·        Reduce the speed into town to 60 before you get into the residential area – also if Koala numbers are high in the area possibly look at extending the 60 zone to before the industrial estate.

·        Clarification of Dudgeons Lane walkway. This should be connected to town.

·        Review the speed zones.

·        Footpaths/Cycle ways connecting the industrial estate to town – along the rail corridor

Public Domain (Parks, open spaces)

·        Activation of Council Land.

·        Activate the Rail Corridor to provide walk and cycle access from residential areas to the industrial estate so people can walk/cycle to work and the gym.

Public Domain (Streetscape)

·        Good and effective signage

·        Don’t overdo it

·        Beautify the entry into town

·        Location for the town entry point. Once location has been settled on, create a ‘Welcome to Bangalow’ sign, keeping in touch with the Heritage value of the town.

Natural Environment

·        Koala habitat/corridor

·        Lack of natural habitat for local endangered species. Opportunity for re planting

·        Identify the Koala number in this area.

·        Connect the Koala Habitat across Lismore Road.

·        Continue to connect and expand the current koala corridor – connect to the hinterland

·        More planting to encourage more native birds to come to Bangalow

Culture (Public Art)

·        Opportunity to have a local artist create a piece at the entrance of Bangalow

Culture (Events)

Culture (Heritage)

·        Dual naming on signage into and throughout the town

·        Signage with indigenous expressions

·        Cultural and/or historical walks in and around town

Sustainability

·        Bamboo growing at the STP

·        Investigation into creating a Solar Farm on the vacant land next to the STP.

·        Harvest the Bamboo and replant.

·        Develop an Education Recycle Centre at the Sewage Treatment Plant.

·        Opportunity to use/sell the bamboo currently being grown at the sewage treatment plant – could begin to grow other plants such as Camphor Laurels, Koala habitats etc .

·        Install solar panels in the industrial estate and STP

·        Swap current lighting with solar lighting

Economy

·        Investigation into having start up Business Hub spaces at the Industrial Estate.

Land Uses

·        Protect the prime agricultural land 

·        Could there be a better use of the STP land? More than just growing bamboo.

·        No entry/welcome signs

·        Current landscaping into Bangalow could be improved to enhance the rural feel

·        Activate the Industrial Estate Park. Created picnic seating areas for the workers in the area.

·        Update/improve the landscaping on the way into town from Lismore Road

Heritage

·        Heritage listed buildings - A&I Hall, Railway Station Building

·        A&I Hall – Focal point in the precinct; heritage building; cultural hub; community gathering and event space

·        Rail Corridor Park – important heritage site. Railway sidings and station building were integral to the development of the village

·        Conserve the A&I Hall and enhance its setting to better acknowledge it as a key focal point and “jewel in the village crown”

·        Restore and repurpose the Railway Station Building

·        Conserve the timber and tin cottages in Station St

12 Restoration of the old Railway Station Building and activate with new uses

·        Conservation of A&I Hall

·        Enhance the curtilage of A& I Hall

·        Structure Plan (Village Plan) + DCP for the Precinct

·        DCP needs to clarify whether existing cottages in Station Street can or cannot be demolished, removed or repositioned on the lot.

2   The Hotel, A&I Hall and the Railway Station Building (once it is restored) are important focal points in the Precinct. Access and movement around these buildings to be carefully considered and the outdoor spaces around the buildings to be improved/ enhanced to support their function as key social gathering and meeting spaces in the village.

Built Form

·        A&I Hall is a major and important focal point in the town centre – the cornerstone and jewel in the crown – it is a common link connecting the Showground + Station St + The Triangle + Rail Corridor.

·        Conserve the A&I Hall and enhance its setting

·        A&I Hall is a high maintenance building – high costs

·        Heritage conservation of the A&I Hall curtilage, as it was, may not be the best urban design outcome for contemporary use/ functioning of this precinct

4 Retain existing character and scale of buildings fronting Station St

5 Ensure vista to A&I Hall looking from the southern parts of Station St is preserved

1       Council to coordinate the preparation of a ‘Concept Plan’ for the future redevelopment of all land parcels within ‘The Triangle’ in a coordinated and integrated manner. Opportunity for new mixed use development which incorporates  carparking on ground and/or basement levels with commercial and residential uses above.

9  Building heights to be two storey along the Station Street frontage. A third storey could be setback with residential units overlooking the Rail Corridor.

·        The concept will need to consider:

o   building form, heights, character, materials

o   how the individual developments on each lot will relate to one another

o   provision of open space (private + public)

o   pedestrian access and movement

o   how the development will relate to the new Rail Corridor Park the public domain in both Station and Byron Streets.

·        To support the concept plan, a ‘Developer Services Plan’ to be prepared which details the agreed timing and cost sharing arrangements (private and public) for the provision of infrastructure associated with the development.

Housing

·          

·        Property owners of commercial premises are concerned that residents of new residential development in this precinct will make complaints about noise from the existing venues (Hotel, A&I Hall, Showground) and this could force the venues to shut down.

·        Opportunity for medium density housing

in The Triangle and/or in Station St – on vacant, flood free land close to town and open space.

·        Is there opportunity for tourist accommodation in this precinct - Hotel/ Motel/ Holiday apartments?

·        New development in this precinct to have noise mitigation measures built in and also an instrument on the property title to prevent the new residents from making noise complaints against the existing venues (Hotel, A&I Hall, Showground).

·        DCP controls to guide streetscape character and integration of new developments

16 Medium density mixed use – lots on eastern side of Station St

17 Medium density mixed use development in the ‘triangle’

11  Opportunity for medium density housing at rear of lots in Station St accessed via Station Lane.

Access & Movement (Pedestrian/ Cycle)

·        Very high pedestrian use in this Precinct.

·        This whole precinct is already a pedestrian focussed area – conserve and enhance this.

·        This precinct contains 3 pedestrian access points into the town centre: (1) entry from the rail corridor via Station St, (2) entry from the rail corridor via unnamed street above the hotel and (3) entry from Granuaille- Lismore Roads via Memorial Park.

·        Station St is an important pedestrian throroughfare – provides links to school, town centre and Showground

·        Rail Corridor – Pedestrian/ cycle connectivity, Access to town centre, Transition area between residential areas and town centre

·        Landowners are concerned that the proposed 1 hour parking in the main street won’t work because of the nature of the businesses in Bangalow. It is a place to linger and have lunch, buy a dress, buy a Persian carpet etc. Need more than 1 hour for this.

·           Conserve and enhance this as a pedestrian prioritised Precinct. Define a “Pedestrian Conservation Area” which includes this precinct + Showground

·        Close (or narrow) the unnamed road in front of the hotel (in whole or part) and redevelop this street as a pedestrian zone. It is a key entry point for pedestrians/ cyclists into town from the Rail Corridor.

·        Consider options for new vehicular access to hotel carpark. Potential to extend the unnamed laneway behind the shops in Byron Street through to the hotel carpark.

·        Opportunity to develop a new pedestrian only boulevard in the Rail Corridor providing new connection from Hotel to A&I Hall.

 7 Shared/pedestrian priority street for Station St

20 Pedestrian connections throughout the ‘triangle’ to link the activated rail corridor, Byron St and Station St

3   Opportunity for a boundary adjustment to enable the existing unnamed laneway to be extended through Lot 9 DP 929014.  This would enable vehicular access into “The Triangle” and the Hotel carparking area from Station Street.

Access & Movement (Cars)

·        Protecting the the pedestrian amenity is #1

·        Minimise and highly control car movements in this precinct to avoid conflicts with pedestrians

·        Memorial Park – tourist stop – do we want to move them elsewhere?

·        There are issues with car access and movements in this precinct but our design philosophy is to prioritise the pedestrian over getting it all right for cars

·        A&I Hall carparking & access  for loading/ unloading - conflicts with pedestrian movement (Hall hirers are put into contact with the Showgrounds to organise opening of the gates for event parking).

·        Bangalow Hotel - Public road has been built over private property and trucks are damaging the Hotel’s awning.

·        Need to formalise and provide more loading zones. Frequently trucks are parking on private property at the rear of the Hotel to unload goods/ deliveries to other businesses (ie not the Hotel).

·           Design principle: Encourage able bodied people to’ Park and Stride’to this precinct

To support this design philosophy we need to identify somel locations/ options for peripheral carparks. Is there opportunity for some carparking in:

o   Rail Corridor - perhaps behind A&I Hall? Off Leslie St west?

o   The Triangle

·        Redirect tourist pull-in stop away from Memorial Park to an alternative location such as water tower / Top of hill park of Granuaille Rd or to Bangalow Parklands/Heritage House with grey nomads

·        Improve signage to carparking areas

·        Continue dead end  lane behind the Laundromat/ next to Masonic Hall through to The Triangle. Involves boundary adjustment and land acquisition. Potential for this lane to be entry to an underground carpark in new mixed use development in The Triangle.

8 Create a one-way school drop off loop going up Market Street, into the Showgrounds then out showground gates onto Station St.

13 Peripheral ‘soft stand’ carparking areas along either side of rail line adjacent to A & I Hall

·        Formalise and provide more loading zones.

Access & Movement (Public Transport)

·        Future light rail connection to Byron Bay; with  rail station near A&I Hall?

·        Retain railway line and infrastructure

·        Mayor’s feasibility study into multi-use in the Rail Corridor

2 Pedestrian and cycle path in the rail corridor linking residential areas to the west of Granuaille Rd to the village centre and the sports fields.

3 Open the Showground gates to pedestrians

Public Domain (Parks, open spaces)

·        Rail Corridor – Green corridor; Movement Corridor; Transition area between residential areas and town centre

·        Rail Corridor Park – Very high heritage values; green space in town contributes to the rural village feel; pedestrian entry into the town centre;

·        Memorial Park – Highly visible; vehicular and pedestrian entry point/ entry gate into town centre from the north, Tourist stop, Bus stop?, Memorial – heritage, Meeting Place, Toilets

·        Rail Corridor - Void space;  risk that people will fill it ; Station building a disgrace and a public safety issue

·        Memorial Park – dark, dank, underutilised; Bangalow Palms costly to maintain; seeds slippery on path

·        Toilet block -  location at main entry point to town centre to/from Rail Corridor not desirable; blocks views through/ reduces the visual connectivity; barrier to movement; unattractive and smelly

·        Relocate bus stop from Memorial Park

·           Develop Rail Corridor (from Granuaille Rd bridge to A&I Hall) as a signature public park. Restore the station building. Include a custom built children’s playspace located close to café and public toilets - attractors for families. Enhance the natural amphitheatre and install shade trees.

·        Relocate Farmers Markets to the Rail Corridor Park 

·        Redevelop Memorial Park as an attractive pedestrian entry; consider it as part of the Rail Corridor Park and design them in an integrated manner; remove any unnecessary  fencing/ barriers between these spaces and improve the visual connectivity; open up the vistas through. Retain significant trees.

·        Prepare integrated project briefs for engagement of consultants (Urban Designers & Landscape Architects ) to undertake detailed design of:

®        Rail Corridor Park

®        Station St landscape/streetscape upgrade

®        Landscape redevelopment around the A&I Hall – to include design of outdoor gathering spaces + review of carparking + loading zones etc

8 Facilitate open discussions between community and landowners

11 Turn the rail corridor area into a park and flexible community use space.

18 Small informal public gathering spaces provided within any future mixed used development in the ‘triangle’

6  Existing vegetation on batters in the Rail Corridor to be selectively cleared to thin the understorey to improve views through to visually connect the Rail Corridor with the town centre. Previously we have planted thick bushy vegetation to try and screen the rail corridor out.  We now need to reconnect it and improve casual surveillance into the new parkland for safety and better amenity.

7  Redevelopment of the Rail Corridor to correct drainage issue of large amount of stormwater flowing down the batter into the Hotel carpark and improve stormwater management generally.

Public Domain (Streetscape)

·        Protect and enhance the informal public space/ gathering space on road in front of the A&I Hall

·        Road space in front of the A&I Hall – conflict between people and cars

·        Existing Palm trees in Byron St are shading and exacerbating the mould growing on the southern side of buildings (including the Hotel).

·        Need to thin the vegetation around the Council carpark at the southern end of Station Street to make it more inviting to park there. It is too dark, shady and wet.

·        Streetscape upgrade in Station St to improve the pedestrian experience and encourage outdoor dining - with new pavement, street trees, garden beds, footpath build-outs/ blisters

·        Enhance the landscape setting of the A&I Hall to achieve better integration. Develop the road space in front of the hall as a public square; integrate it into the new  Rail Corridor Park - remove the fences/ barriers and connect these spaces. Install artistic night lighting, shade trees, greenery, seating, banner poles (to show what events will be on in the hall).

6 New intersection treatment at Station St and Byron St intersection

10 Narrowing treatment of no through road between Memorial Park and Pub to discourage large vehicle access and u-turns of vehicles accessing southern side of Byron St

14 Gathering space/plaza at the end of Station St in front of A&I Hall.

15 Widen area at the end of Station Street in front of A& I Hall to allow delivery trucks to u-turn back down Station St

·        Council to improve maintenance of existing garden beds and Palm Trees in Byron Street. Consider removing the palm trees.

4  Reprofile Station Street to widen the footpaths, install street trees and garden beds.

5  Create a new public space at the northern end of Station Street in front of the A&I Hall acknowledging the high level of pedestrian activity in this area. Landscape and enhance the space which functions as the outdoor entry foyer to the A&I Hall and the Showground and provides spill-over space when events and performances are held. It is also a major junction linking the Rail Corridor to the town centre and a thoroughfare for children walking to/from school.

Natural Environment

·        Street tree and garden bed planting in Station St for shade and amenity. Remove existing Tibouchinas.

·        Shade tree planting in Rail Corridor Park

19 Retain the embankment and greenery between the rail corridor, pub and lots fronting onto Station St

Review development controls to enable flexibility to remove trees on private properties. Compensatory plantings can be required as a condition of development consent.

Community Facilities

·        Existing public toilets in Memorial Park

·        Need a community garden

·        A&I Hall is one of the most profitable halls Council owns

·        Toilet block in Memorial Park is old, dark, dank & very smelly but these are the only public toilets  in the CBD. Expensive to demolish and  replace.

·        Test soil on railway land for the community garden suitability

·        A&I Hall - rental fees are unaffordable for small local groups. School no longer hires hall for its annual school musical. Has been a local tradition to see the children march up Station Street to the hall for their performance.

·        If Rail Corridor is developed as public parkland new public toilets are needed in the vicinity of the Station Building and children’s playspace.

·        Future demolition of toilet block in Memorial Park – replace with new toilets in a more central location within the CBD + new toilets in the Rail Corridor Park (close to proposed playspace and café)

·        Community garden in this precinct? Where? Need to consider vehicle access and space for composting & stockpiling

·        Council to ensure A&I Hall fees are affordable for use by local groups

1 Bus shelter needed at the entrance to Memorial Park

8 Lower A&I Hall rental fees to school so they can use for end of year performance

9 Decommission public toilet in Memorial Park and install new public toilets (with end of trip facilities for cyclists) in Fire Station Park and the new Rail Corridor Park

8  New public toilets in the Rail Corridor

Culture (Public Art)

·        Existing sculptures in Showground are not maintained and were “guerrilla art” – remove them; a safety risk.

·           Rail Corridor Park - express the heritage character of this site  - as the historic railway sidings and timber mills - through art, materials and detailing.

·           Annual temporary art installation event for Bangalow eg Swell, Sculpture by the Sea

·        Prepare preliminary briefs for public art in the following locations:

®        Rail Corridor Park

®        Station St landscape/streetscape upgrade

®        A&I Hall curtilage landscape redevelopment

These are to be included in:

®        the shire-wide Public Art Strategy being developed by the Public Art Panel

®        any project briefs prepared by Council for engagement of consultants to undertake detailed design of the above sites.

·        Bottle shop arches - community art project with the Primary School students. Jan Hulbert has been organising

Culture (Events)

·        Road closure of Station St for community events – food + music + youth & children’s entertainment;

·        Art market

·        Performance and literary events in the new Natural Amphitheatre created in  Rail Corridor Park

·           Develop a program of activation events for this precinct eg Annual temporary art installation event eg Swell

8 Community organised walking tours of Bangalow for Bangalow residents

Culture (Heritage)

Sustainability

·        Public bins in CBD - no recycling

·        Inadequate commercial bin storage facilities in CBD;  bins in streets are an eyesore and public health issue

·        Replace CBD bins with recycle bins

·        Identify location for commercial bin storage facilities in The Triangle.

Economy

·           Protect the rural village feel, heritage architecture and pedestrian amenity of the CBD as this is the reason people come to Bangalow. Pedestrian amenity is a key economic driver.

·        High commercial rents discourage new business start-ups

·        Proposed pop-up shops and market events compete with existing businesses which are paying very high rents/ rates. For example the Farmers Market is selling cups of coffee. This should not be allowed. They should only sell the raw coffee in bags and leave it to the local cafes to provide cups of coffee.

3 Key Principles for Economic Development in Bangalow:

1.         Protect the rural village feel, heritage architecture and pedestrian amenity of the CBD as this is the reason people come to Bangalow. Pedestrian amenity is a key economic driver.

2.         Minimise car/truck movements in CBD streets as they degrade the pedestrian amenity.

3.         Encourage able-bodied people to “park & stride” into the CBD or walk/ cycle.

·        Declare and develop this Precinct as a ‘Pedestrian Conservation Area’.

·        Business Incubator and artist studios in the Rail Corridor  - demountable buildings  and spaces in the station building

·        Invite local businesses first to participate in any proposed pop-up shop or market events.

10 Hotel beer garden is currently enclosed. Opportunity for it to be “opened up” (walls removed) if this area is redeveloped with a focus on pedestrian amenity and movement.

Land Uses

·        Commercial

·        Showground

·        Open space& Recreation (walking/ cycling  in Rail Corridor)

·        Movement Corridor

Consider options for redevelopment of “The Triangle” :

·        Option 1 – Stays as carpark; potential to enlarge the existing area for carparking and landscape it

·        Option 2-  Redevelop as public open space – triangle redesigned as a village square/ piazza (as per John Spark’s plan)

·        Option 3 – Intensification of use - New mixed use development (commercial + residential)  2+ storeys, with ground level or underground carparking and loading areas; commercial uses on first level with residential apartments above overlooking the Rail Corridor. Essential that such a development is “sleeved” by finer-grained heritage character buildings in Byron and Station Streets (existing + new timber and tin) to maintain active street frontages and the  heritage streetscape character.

16 Medium density mixed use – lots on eastern side of Station St

20 Commercial land use opportunities for new mixed used development in Station St