The Southern Highlands community are invited to help shape the future direction of Bowral Town Centre, and get involved in how it might look, with Wingecarribee Shire Council's Draft Master Plan, on Public Exhibition from Monday 22 January 2024.
Council's Executive Manager Strategic Outcomes, Deniz Kilic says the Draft Master Plan aims to develop a clear vision and strategic direction, to guide the growth of the Town Centre in a way that respects and supports its existing identity, rich character, and function for the Shire.
"We welcome residents to get involved in Bowral's future and provide vital input into this important Draft Master Plan which aims to celebrate what we love about Bowral, enhance what could be made even better and create new opportunities that work towards the long-term vision," said Deniz Kilic.
"It's a roadmap that outlines where our community wants to be in the future, how we will get there, who will be involved and the milestones that will help us know when we have arrived at our community's vision," he added.
The Draft Bowral Town Centre Master Plan supports Council's transition to a better place-based planning framework for our towns and villages.
Key points include:
- The Draft Master Plan aims to enhance and celebrate the unique character of Bowral, encourage green streets with high quality public domain and improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity throughout the Town Centre and to surrounding destinations.
- The Draft Master Plan encourages opportunities to strengthen the Bowral Town Centre's growth and economy, enhance vibrancy and attractiveness of the centre and promote safety and comfort.
- It aims to build upon the local identity of Bowral Town Centre, promoting safe, more inclusive and greener places to live, work and visit.
- The Master Plan seeks to enhance and celebrate the captivating existing character of Bowral Town Centre.
- Overall, the Master Plan aims to guide the future of Bowral Town Centre.
Mr Kilic says Bowral's Draft Master Plan has gone through an upfront extensive consultation process, supported by community involvement in 2023.
"During this time, the community had the opportunity to be involved in online and in-person consultation events. From this, the Draft Master Plan has been prepared utilising a holistic place-based approach and has been informed by two rounds of community consultation in 2023, culminating in the current public exhibition.
We encourage residents to participate during this current public exhibition and there are several ways to get involved, by:
- Viewing the Draft Master Plan online at Participate Wingecarribee or access a hard copy via the Civic Centre, Bowral Library, Moss Vale Library, Mittagong Library or the WSC Mobile Library.
- Get typing and share your thoughts via our interactive map, online survey or through the 'Share Your Thoughts' activity on the project page on Participate Wingecarribee.
- Come along for a chat at the Bowral Markets on Saturday 10th February 2024 to ask questions and share your insights.
- Join us at a drop-in session on Thursday 15th February 2024 at the Henrietta Rose Room (16-24 Bendooley St, Bowral NSW 2576) to share your thoughts through a self-paced activity, so stop by anytime between 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
