LET'S MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL: Keppel Street business representatives Ross McDonald, Arthur Luneman, Jim Scroe, Alan Bayliss, Scott Taylor, Sue Schafer, Pat Dallimore, Catherine Yeoman and Peter Wright have a vision for the popular shopping strip. Photo: CHRIS SEABROOK
A passionate group of people in the city believe Keppel Street’s time has come.
Business owners, residents, landlords and customers have come together to speak up for one of the city’s most unique, character-filled streets.
Group spokesperson Peter Wright, of Central Commercial Printers, said they believe it is time for council to revamp Keppel Street, as they have done in William and George streets.
Mr Wright describes Keppel Street, with its iconic light standards, as the face of Bathurst.
He added that it has an incredibly diverse range of businesses, unlike any other street in Bathurst, and customers love it.
“We know we have something unique and want to enhance and preserve it,” he said.
“We want to work with council and be part of the communication process to get the best outcome for Keppel Street customers, residents, landlords and business owners.”
Mr Wright said the group has been researching options, has surveyed businesses and has come up with a strong list of ideas that would give maximum benefit.
The group held a meeting on Monday night facilitated by Cr Jess Jennings. It attracted 25 people. Thirty-seven people came to the first.
Cr Jennings said the group is concentrating on refurbishing the area of Keppel Street from Bathurst Railway Station to Machattie Park.
He said this area is a nice blend of rural and metropolitan atmosphere, with the added beauty of heritage buildings.
Cr Jennings said the group came up with 40 priority items, which will be put to council, along with a concept plan created by Tony McBurney, the director of Integrated Design Group, which embraces the principles of contemporary urban design.
“This would have a significant impact on the way Keppel Street would feel,” Cr Jennings said.
Cr Jennings said under the plan the treescape would be significant, the library forecourt would be opened up and the walkway to parking areas would be made more user friendly and signposted.
He said he would now like to see the rest of the community become involved, so he has prepared a survey to give the residents of Bathurst a say.
Members of the group will present their case at tonight’s meeting of Bathurst Regional Council.
To take the survey CLICK HERE.
