For those who attend, council will present a video showing a 3D walkthrough of how the town’s streetscape will look after the works have been completed.

While the designs for stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be presented to council for adoption, only the first two have the budget to proceed at this stage. 

Thus, if ticked off by councillors, and odds on it will be, the rolling out of stage 1 and 2 will occur before this financial year ends. These stages being the intersections of Hyde and Oak Streets together with Hyde and Church Streets.

Stages 3 and 4 – the intersection of Hyde and Bridge Streets and the 40kph entry gateway thresholds are subject to future grant applications and council budget consideration.

The beautification of the Bellingen Town Centre has been the subject of discussion and reports to council for almost 20 years. A review of historical records has indicated that plans were developed and considered by Council both in 2002, 2010 and 2015. 

The removal of the camphor laurels: the crossing point designs on the corners of Hyde and Church Street are impacted by the camphor laurels trees located at that intersection. In addition, discussions between RMS and council staff raised concerns about the potential long-term impact of the camphor Laurel trees on the new infrastructure being constructed at the Hyde & Church Streets intersection. These concerns together with a range of public risk issues it is recommended that the removal of the three remaining Church Street (North) Camphor Laurels and the two camphor laurels on the south eastern corner of Church Street and replacement of these trees with more suitable street tree species.

A separate working group has been established at the request of the council involving representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, the Bellingen Garden Club, an Arborist, two Councillors and Council project staff with the task of identifying suitable street tree species to replace the camphor laurel trees. This committee will report its recommendations back through the council. In addition it is considered that in the longer term, this committee could also assist with the development of a street tree masterplan. 

The implementation of the Bellingen Town Centre Masterplan also seeks to address public liability and risk.

State statistics place trips or slips as the highest area for claims with over one quarter of all claims costing the state over $48 Million since 2006. These statistics are similar with Bellingen Shire Council receiving 47 claims and incidents regarding trips and falls for the same period. 

On review of the design plans presented there will be a loss of approximately 10-12 regulated car parking spaces to accommodate complying design standards, as follows:  

Council says: It is considered that the Bellingen Town Centre Beautification project provides for a well-balanced design in terms of environmental, economic and social impacts.

The construction of projects from the Main Street Masterplan will deliver improved amenity for the town as well as much needed access and mobility outcomes.

Works will also provide for improved pedestrian and traffic movement as well as the management of risk.

It will deliver much needed upgrade of local infrastructure which is considered to be a key priority for council within its overall focus on assets and infrastructure.

The works for stages one and two are valued at almost $1 million dollars including concept, detailed design and construction. Council will continue to actively pursue grant funding to enable implementation of the subsequent phases of the plan. 

Once the detailed designs are endorsed by the council these designs will be approved by the RMS and a project schedule will be completed for the commencement of the construction works. RMS will be administering the works under its Road Maintenance Council Contract (RMCC). The Council will be responsible to the RMS for the works and payments for the works will be made through the RMS invoicing system. It is anticipated that works will commence in May 2017.