The Gateways Beautification and Tourism Signage Project aims to create effective gateway signage for Tamworth and the surrounding towns and villages of Manilla, Barraba, Nundle and Kootingal.
It also provides the opportunity to reflect the individual characters of each of the towns and villages while linking these communities together within the context of the overall Tamworth region.
Background
Consultants, Verge Landscape Architects, were engaged by Council in June 2006 to assist in the development of the Regional Gateways Project and to design appropriate gateway entrance treatments for Tamworth and the surrounding centres.
Draft designs were developed and placed on public exhibition from the 21 May 2007 to 8 June 2007. Following an extensive public consultation process, Council resolved to commence the staged implementation of the project for Tamworth and Kootingal during 2008-2009.
The gateway banners are intended to:
- capture a sense of arrival
- contribute toward town and village beautification
- frame main entry points into the urban centres of the Tamworth Region
Stages of Project
The first stage of the project involves the installation of seven gateway banners along the Goonoo Goonoo Road at the southern entrance to Tamworth, and five gateway banners along the New England Highway at the northern entrance to Kootingal.
The Tamworth and Kootingal banners consist of aluminium screens that will support stylised images that repeat elements of colour and movement, whilst promoting events, festivals and facilities.
Future stages of the project will include the development and installation of gateway banners for the alternative entrances into Tamworth such as the Manilla, Werris Creek, Gunnedah and Armidale Roads. Gateway banners and beautification features will also be designed and installed at the main entry points into the localities of Barraba, Manilla, and Nundle. These gateway features will promote local economic development and tourism opportunities.