Council partners with Chamber of Commerce on Tumut CBD project

Published on 03 July 2019

The upcoming Tumut CBD Upgrade project was the key point of discussion when Council representatives met with the Tumut Chamber of Commerce and interested business owners on Tuesday night.

“We want to work closely with the Chamber to develop the project’s scope of works within the available budget, and the forum was the first step in engaging the Chamber’s consideration of the project,” said Gus Cox, Council’s Director of Strategy, Community & Development.

“Providing the opportunity to Chamber members to hear about the draft plan first-hand and to provide recommendations on the scope of the works is integral to the project and we are looking for the Chamber to provide a recommendation as to the extent of the works and to identify their priority areas of the CBD for upgrade,” he said.

Council received $1.76 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Infrastructure fund for improvements to Tumut’s main business district accessibility and amenity.

Works for consideration include replacement or existing pavers, timber seating, rubbish bins, tree surrounds, information signage and upgraded pedestrian crossings and taxi ranks; landscaping such as plantings, trees, irrigation and planters, feature lighting.

Council has also engaged a specialist consultant to manage the Tumut project. 

“We recognise the impact on businesses and the community that this extensive upgrade works will have,” said Mr Cox.  “Employing an independent person means there is a dedicated resource to liaise between Council, businesses and the construction teams all the way through the project from conception to completion”.

Once the extent of works is determined Council will commence consultation with all businesses impacted by the works to gain input into the development of the tender documentation. Those consultations will address points including overview of the project, delivery access, preferences for sequencing of works, and potential issues and opportunities that may arise during construction.

Council is also undertaking CBD upgrade projects in Batlow and Khancoban.

Council secured funding of $395,000 to enhance the amenity of the Khancoban shopping precinct and $540,000 to review the existing Batlow CBD master plan and develop a detailed design and cost plan to undertake prioritised streetscape improvements.

A construction tender has just closed for the Khancoban works and Council expects a draft scope of works for Batlow to be ready by mid July with a view to starting work in late August/early September.

For more information on all Council’s Major projects visit yourvoice.svc.nsw.gov.au