BATHURST Regional Council has released its responses to the Allen Jack + Cottier (AJ+C) Masterplan for the Bathurst CBD/Town Centre, entitled Futureproofing our CBD.
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Unfortunately our council does not support the majority of the most important recommendations.
Council assumes that over the next decades people will drive in their cars into the CBD to buy stuff.
There is no acknowledgement of climate change, the already significant "urban heat island effect", the present abysmal street tree plantings in the CBD, or the possible loss of dominance of private cars.
Online retail sales now represent more than 15 per cent of all sales in Australia, more 30 per cent in Europe and more than 50 per cent in China. And they're all rising.
To "future proof" our CBD people will need to have a reason (apart from buying things) to visit the CBD: see things, do things, meet friends, spend time in communal spaces, move around the CBD in a pleasant non-threatening environment.
None of the recommendations to prioritise pedestrians over cars is supported, nor is developing bicycle access.
Our CBD street tree cover is less than two per cent, with less tree canopy cover than any comparable city in Australia. Expert recommendations are 15 per cent.
Our CBD street tree cover is less than two per cent, with less tree canopy cover than any comparable city.
- Urban heat island effect
The urban heat island effect is very real. Large expanses of bare tarmac and concrete absorb the sun's energy, radiating it into the surrounding air, further heating the environment.
Trees provide cooling by providing shade, and by transpiring moisture, providing evaporative cooling. A single tree can provide the same cooling as five average size air conditioners.
ANU Canberra and Melbourne studies show suburbs with appropriate tree canopy cover being up to eight degrees Celsius cooler than those with less.
On hot summer days there are many areas in Bathurst that are impossible to visit. Bureau of Meteorology predict many more days in the future over 30 degrees.
The health impacts of this are very real.
Shaded and green shopping precincts are proven to attract visitors and shoppers.
We are so fortunate with our wonderful heritage buildings and streetscapes but excluding Kings Parade, Machattie Park, and parts of Keppel Street, our CBD is already an often unpleasant place to visit.
We must future proof our city, persuade the council to acknowledge the future realities.
Visit the Yoursay Bathurst website by May 24 to make a submission.
