Ballina Shire Council is about to begin the first stage of the Wardell Village Centre Revitalisation project, focused on creating a community green space at the end of Richmond Street.
"Our aim is to create a vibrant, accessible and welcoming space where people can come together and build connections while also opening up new economic opportunities," said Ballina Shire Council's Manager of the Project Management Office, Mr Brett Dyki.
"The upcoming works will transform the western end of Richmond Street into a multi-purpose, designed to enhance the area's amenity, usability, and pedestrian accessibility. Once complete, the area will feature new paving, seating, vegetation and electrical upgrades," he said.
The works are set to begin from Monday 2 September 2024 and continue through to early 2025.
A masterplan to revitalise Wardell was adopted by Council in November 2023. The Wardell Village Centre Revitalisation Master Plan was developed through extensive community consultation with local businesses, community groups, residents and visitors. The plan includes three focus areas:
- connecting to the river
- streetscape of Richmond Street and Sinclair Street
- community green space.
What to Expect
Stage 1 works will include:
- A shared pedestrian-priority zone with reduced traffic speeds.
- New streetscape paving at the western end of Richmond Street.
- Installation of new street furniture and interpretative signage.
- A pedestrian crossing on Sinclair Street, south of Richmond Street.
- A concrete roundabout island at the intersection of Richmond and Sinclair Street.
- Formalised car parking on a grass surface at the eastern end of Richmond Street.
- Landscaping efforts, including the protection of fig trees and native vegetation.
- Upgrades to drainage, lighting, and electrical systems.
- Community-inspired art installations.
During the construction period, Richmond Street (between Sinclair Street and Blackwall Drive) will be closed to both traffic and pedestrians. Construction activities will take place during standard work hours from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
While general construction noise is expected, the Council will actively work to minimise disruptions by monitoring dust and noise levels.
This project has been jointly funded by Ballina Shire Council and the NSW Reconstruction Authority under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
For more information or to download the master plan visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/Wardell-Village-Centre
