Orange City Council has unveiled the next stage of its FutureCity upgrade of Orange’s CBD, a bold plan to transform the section of Lords Place, between Summer and Kite Streets, into a place for meeting.
The project, which is expected to start in September year will include:
- New plantings of advanced trees which will almost double the number of trees in the block
- New traffic arrangements designed to transform the area into a pedestrian-friendly precinct
- Outdoor-dining zones in selected areas along the block
- Improved street lighting
- Expanded gardens with street furniture
The Council has started visiting business operators and property owners along the block, to spell out details of the plans and seek their feed-back. The concept plan will go to a council meeting on 16 August with a recommendation to exhibit and seek more feedback.
A community forum is also planned for 25 August in the council chambers.
While the total cost of the project is still being developed along with final designs, it will be jointly-funded by Orange City Council and the NSW Government.
Earlier this year the Lords Place South project was awarded a grant of $500,000 from the NSW Government’s ‘Streets as Shared Spaces’ program that aims to ‘deliver trials that test permanent changes that strengthen the accessibility and economic vitality of a high street and surrounding area’.
Orange Mayor Cr Jason Hamling is calling on the community to learn more about the plans, and have their say.
“The beauty of this government grant is that it’s intentionally designed to trial changes,” Cr Jason Hamling said.
“The government wants communities to test the idea of creating spaces where the focus has switched from cars to people. A place where people park somewhere else and then spend time in attractive, fun spaces. If these ideas work, that will shape the design of future changes to revitalise the heart of our city.”
“There are potentially huge benefits in creating an ‘eat street’ in the heart of our city that will work all year round and boost our night-time economy. If we want to make our CBD an attractive place to meet, this is great start.”
“But there will be changes to the routines we’re used to. We want to hear from the community how they weigh up benefits of creating this new destination, alongside impacts such as the loss of some parking spaces.”
The Mayor said it was a challenging project to get the balance right between the city evolving and supporting existing businesses.
“We want the community to tell us what they think so we can start to explore what it would be like to enjoy outdoor dining areas in a pedestrian-friendly street,” Cr Jason Hamling said.
You can download the Lords Place South Draft Concept Plan here.
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