Parkes Shire Council has been successful in securing $945,400 from the NSW Government through the Your High Street program to revitalise the shire’s Trundle Main Street.
The funding announced for Trundle Main Street will see elements of the recently developed masterplan come to life including improvements to pedestrian access and safety, tree planting and a new community hub to provide a gathering spot and events space to draw in the community and passing motorists.
In 2020, Council invited members of the Trundle community and users of the Trundle main street to meet with the Council project team to develop ideas and solutions designed to improve this space to best meet the future needs of the Trundle community.
Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor, Barbara Newton applauded the NSW Government for its investment.
“This funding will revitalise the Trundle Main Street by improving the connectiveness of the CBD, enhancing pedestrian comfort and safety while activating public spaces to encourage the community and visitors alike to gather, meet and connect,” the Mayor said.
“I would also like to thank the Trundle community for their support during the enquiry by design phase for the Trundle Main Street Masterplan. This valued input ensures the project delivery will reflect the community’s needs and character of the township they have spent years developing and branding.
“We also acknowledge the funding contribution by Sunrise Energy Metals (formerly Clean TeQ) who through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) contributed $100,000 towards the project.”
Sunrise Energy Metals Managing Director, Sam Riggall said: “We were honoured to support the Trundle community with a VPA for the Trundle Main Street project which will provide widespread benefits across the community including businesses, residents and travellers.”
The NSW Government’s Your High Street program has awarded 19 councils with up to $1 million to help them deliver projects that will permanently transform streetscapes into more liveable, accessible and vibrant public spaces.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes said the program builds on the success of the Streets as Shared Spaces program, which piloted street transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has helped shift our perception of streets as more than just places to walk or drive. One year on from the lockdown, Your High Street is the second phase of the program which cements the role of our streets as places for people to gather, socialise, dine and do business,” Mr Stokes said.