Is Brian Lackie really serious? (Letters page, Courier-Sun, November 7). A multistorey car park on the banks of the Bellinger River? Why not also concrete Jarrett Park and build an escalator to Church St?
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The 1999 Bellingen Now report recommended that Bellingen Shire Council seek to acquire the Telstra Site behind the CWA Cottage and Ambulance Station with a view to creating a town square. To their credit council did acquire this site but then turned this open space overlooking the river into a car park.
The report recommendations envisioned such a town square would incorporate the Church St cafe precinct and provide an open community space for events such as markets, exhibitions, music performances, alfresco dining or just a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the best vistas the town has to offer. It is my understanding that this proposal is still council policy. I'm sure many residents would be keen to hear if this is so.
The best and only available site for a multistorey car park is the site behind the Memorial Hall where it would not be a visual blight on the town, a short stroll to the main street and close to the monthly markets.
Paul Milton, Bellingen
Ideas to resolve issues come in all shapes and sizes, some prove impossible, others workable, some brilliant, but the idea to build a car park at the northern end of Church Street (Letters page, Courier-Sun, November 7) verges on the bizarre.
Goodbye to the magnificent old gum festooned with ferns and the beautiful bank covered in colourful plants replaced by some brick monstrosity with cars coming and going along Church Street asphyxiating al fresco dinners. As for the aged not being able to walk the distance between the Mem Hall car park and the CBD, many such from Oakman Gardens manage a similar distance walker and all. There are plenty of seats for a breather if needed. Funding? Slug the ratepayers a bit more.
I must admit than a multi-level car park would be a good idea especially when the festivals are on but the place for it is probably where the present one is. This would certainly ease the congestion on market days. Funding? A levy on stallholders and the Chamber of Commerce whose members are the main beneficiaries of festivals, tourism and the markets. If taken seriously I bet that makes for some squawks.
Russell Atkinson, Bellingen
