EUROPEAN vibes, a community heart and animating the streets were among the key concepts envisioned as part of the Oak Flats town centre plan report.
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On Thursday, a community consultation took place, enabling Oak Flats residents to look over future key strategies in the development of a draft plan for the town centre.
Six key phases were listed by priority in the overall “transformation” of the shopping precinct, with each step aiming to create a more “vibrant and vital town”.
A consultant said the plans were not about development, but rather working with the characters of the township.
The first phase sought to establish a community heart and create a “hub” on the intersection of Fisher Street and Central Avenue.
Stage two focused on pedestrian connectivity and creating flow between town centre blocks.
The third phase looked to “animate” the streets by creating opportunities for alfresco dining, community gardens, options for existing street trees and encouraging businesses to open-up outdoors.
A young Oak Flats couple said they were currently deciding whether to renovate their Oak Flats home, or sell and move to a more urbanised area.
“The facades and alfresco dining is something this town really needs,” Paul O’Malley said.
“These plans are really part of that urban regeneration, and it’s interesting to see what they will to do with the town.”
Phase four plans to revitalise shopfronts by rejuvenating facades, introducing street art and enhancing the school fence.
One resident said he was concerned that painting a shopfront would not make much difference for buildings that were poorly built and in bad condition.
Phase five addressed laneway safety and appeal (street art), and the last phase focused on strengthening main intersections along Central Avenue.
Treasurer of the Oak Flats Progress Society Bob Jago welcomed the idea of street art to “improve the ambience” of the town “where all you see is brick walls”.
For 48 years Anne Murphy has lived in Oak Flats, and while she welcomed the changes had a few concerns.
“What if they do all these things in the new project - will it stop the graffiti?" she said.
"Who will pay for it?
“I am also concerned about plans for the library and the old baby health centre site.
"A war memorial was supposed to be built there for the local ex-servicemen and I would like to see that be part of the plan.”
Feedback from the consultation will be presented to a Project Control Group.
The consultants will finalise a draft plan, which it is hoped will go back to council by the end of the year, or early February.