Public urged to attend Bega information session

August 22, 2007: The future look and building guidelines for the Bega Central Business District and commercial centre will be outlined at a public meeting on Wednesday, August 29 at the Bega Town Hall from 6pm.

Mayor Tony Allen said the information session would have wide-ranging benefits for the whole shire and encouraged people to attend.

“The draft Planning Report and associated Design Guidelines and Development Control Plan (DCP) for the town centre have gone on public exhibition and provide the essential framework for the evolution of Bega as the regional centre of the shire,” Cr Allen said.

“It is important people hear first hand the long term plans for Bega. Council is also very keen to have people respond to the draft documents as part of the exhibition and community consultation process,” Cr Allen said.

“There has been an enormous amount of work producing the three documents for public display – all with the objective of assisting in making Bega a unique regional city.”

Cr Allen said the development of the planning report and the release of the draft guidelines and DCP was an exciting time for Council and the community.

“The community has a real opportunity to shape the future of Bega. There is a lot of public support for the expansion of Bega as the commercial centre and there is no doubt many opportunities for employment, investment and beautification of the CBD,” Cr Allen said.

“The civic precinct has attracted plenty of attention, however the planning report goes further than that, there are exciting opportunities for the future.”

Cr Allen said community input was paramount and Council had extended the exhibition period until October 5.

Council will resolve final positions on the town centre once it has considered public submissions and input from the State Department of Planning.

The draft planning report, guidelines and DCP will be on public exhibition until October 5 and can be viewed at Council’s Bega Office, the Bermagui, Merimbula and Eden libraries and on the website at: www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au. Copies of the documents are available for purchase from Council’s Bega office for $5 each.

Submissions should be addressed to the General Manager, Bega Valley Shire Council, PO Box 492, Bega, NSW, 2550 or council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and submitted no later than October 5, 2007. Inquiries can be directed to Sophie Thomson on 6499 2222.