Tamworth Regional Council engaged Spackman Mossop Michaels (SMM) in December 2008 to produce Masterplans for the rejuvenation of Bicentennial Park and the Design Upgrade of Fitzroy Street.
The two Masterplans will provide the framework for the future development of these very significant public domain areas.
Staging of the Masterplans
The general scope of services provided by SMM Consultants includes responsibility for:
- Preliminary Concept Masterplans
- Final Masterplans/Schematic Designs
- engagement of a consultant to integrate site-specific public art elements into the Masterplans
Fitzroy Street Design Upgrade Concept Plan
The Concept Plan for the Design Upgrade of Fitzroy Street focuses on the creation of three precincts from Kable Avenue to Marius Street to give the street a better feel and amenity, whilst still functioning effectively for its users. The proposed precincts are:
- Lower Fitzroy Street – 10km share zone for pedestrians and vehicles with landscaping
- Middle Section Fitzroy Street – a balance of cars and people with a new forecourt area linking the Town Hall and Department of Lands buildings
- Top Fitzroy Street – will retain full functionality, have new tree plantings and an improvement to pedestrian access and amenity
Proposed Concept Plan for Lower Fitzroy Street
View of Lower Fitzroy Street looking towards Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park Concept Plan
The intent of this plan is to rejuvenate an existing green area located in close proximity to the Tamworth City Centre. The revamp of Bicentennial Park will focus on the following aspects:
- continuation of a tree-lined avenue from Fitzroy Street to the footbridge and Peel River
- creating an adventure playground
- improving the existing war memorial area by creating a more reflective space and memorial garden
- designing a new entertainment and stage/performance area in a more appropriate location
- building new amenities and kiosk buildings
- reconfiguring existing ponds, and creating entertainment and leisure zones that are attuned to each other
The Concept Plan proposes sympathetic tree plantings, more cycleway and walkways and a new entertainment stage framing a village green.
View from pedestrian footbridge looking towards the CBD
Public Consultation
The level of consultation involved in the preparation of the Concept Plans for Bicentennial Park and the Design Upgrade of Fitzroy Street has been significant. Extensive consultation has been under taken with a range of stakeholder groups (City Centre Working Group, Public Art Advisory Panel, Fitzroy Street Stakeholders Group and the Local Traffic Committee). In addition, consultation has taken place with Bicentennial Park User Groups (including the Ex-Service Organisations) and the wider community via the display periods.
Preliminary Concept Plans for both Masterplans were presented to interested community members at the Tamworth Town Hall on 29 April 2009. The public presentation provided the first opportunity for members of the public to view the plans and to “have their say” on the proposals. Following this presentation, the preliminary Concept Plans were displayed on Council’s website for public comment until 27 May 2009. During this time, a series of meetings were held with a range of Fitzroy Street and Bicentennial Park stakeholders.
A summary of the key issues raised during the consultation period was compiled and reported to Council’s Strategy and Finance Committee Meeting on Tuesday 9 June 2009. This report was subsequently made available to the Consultants in order to assist with finalisation of the draft Concept Plans.
The final Masterplans were presented to a range of Fitzroy Street and Bicentennial Park stakeholders on 13/14 October 2009. The revised plans incorporated a number of changes as a result of the public consultation phase. These included:
- retaining the Waler and the World War II memorials in their present space
- retaining the Olympic Pool in its current location but with provision for new community buildings and parkland if the pool is closed at some time in the future
- creation of a central boulevard in Bicentennial Park
- a new entertainment stage “framing” the village green
- a new themed adventure play space at the Hill Street end of Bicentennial Park
Following the stakeholder presentations, the final Masterplans were displayed on Council’s website (and in the foyer of Ray Walsh House) for public comment until 2 November 2009. In addition to public display of the final Masterplans, a separate investigation was undertaken by Council’s Regional Services Directorate in relation to the relocation of the Fitzroy Street Taxi Rank.
At the Services and Infrastructure Committee Meeting held on 14 July 2009, Council had resolved that:
“the Director of Regional Services be requested to investigate options for the relocation of the Fitzroy Street Taxi Rank, including facilities for the passengers and the opinion of the Tamworth Local Traffic Committee and submit a report to Council for consideration.”
A report detailing the outcome of these investigations together with the final Masterplans was submitted to the Council meeting on 24 November 2009. At this meeting, it was resolved to defer consideration of the Masterplans and the Taxi Rank relocation issue to a future meeting of Council.
These two matters were further considered at the Council Meeting held on 9 March 2010 whereby it was resolved to adopt the Masterplans for the Fitzroy Street Design Upgrade and Bicentennial Park . It was also resolved to relocate the existing Fitzroy Street Taxi Rank to White Street adjacent to the City Plaza plus establish a two car taxi zone in Fitzroy Street adjacent to the National Australia Bank located on the corner of Peel and Fitzroy Streets. A copy of both resolutions from this meeting may be obtained by viewing the Council Meeting Ordinary Council 9th March 2010.