Planning Workshops
About the Community Planning Workshops
Following on from the very successful Brunswick Community Expo held on Saturday the 19th March, two community planning workshops were held in Brunswick Heads on 14th April and 12th May to map out the next 5 year Plan for the Brunswick Community. Under the banner of “Taking Care of Brunswick 2011-2016” these workshops sought to extend and build on the successful outcomes from the previous 2004-2009 Community Economic Development Plan.
The central theme of this new Community Economic Transition Plan is about the town taking collective care of its own destiny by developing a plan that factors in the issues of our times.
The CETP Project is being funded by Industry and Investment NSW, through the Brunswick Heads Chamber of Commerce and managed by a community based Management Committee. This is the first such plan undertaken by a coastal community in NSW.
Key focus areas for the Plan are:
- Arts and culture
- Community resilience and collaboration
- Food
- Housing
- Infrastructure and essential services
- Disaster management
- Local economy and tourism
- The natural environment
- The built environment & planning
- Transport
- Youth
- Aged care
For more information contact Penny Watson on 0413 748864 or Robert Rosen on 0424 075029.
Ideas from the Expo and Workshop 1
Draft Guiding Principles and Draft Strategic Priorities were distilled from the work done at the Expo and by small groups at the April workshop.
Download a copy of the draft strategic priorities and ideas generated in each of the Key Focus Areas here.
- Draft_Guiding_Principles_and_Strategic_Priorities_10.5.11.pdf 76kb
- CETP_Workshop_2_Key_Focus_Areas.pdf 349kb
Workshop 2 outcomes
In the not so distant future, Brunswick Heads residents may be hearing the church bells ring when the whales are approaching so that people can go down to the seawall or beach to watch them.
This was one of many projects given enthusiastic support at the second Taking Care of Brunswick Community Plan 2011-2016 workshop held on May 12 and attended by over forty people. Workshop participants selected twelve projects they would like to see happen in Brunswick in the immediate future. These were chosen from, and/or based on over 150 project ideas contributed by the community during consultations held this year for the Community Plan.
“Now is the time to get involved in making Brunswick the place you want it to be, now and in the future,” says Penny Watson, Project Facilitator for the Community Economic Transition Plan Project. Several project groups have been formed and will begin meeting over coming weeks for action planning. Contact and meeting details for these groups will be advertised shortly.
High on the list of priorities were:
- The development of foreshore pathways from one end of town to the other, providing improved access to riverbanks and the foreshore, and an exercise station area
- A Community Kitchen for the Memorial Hall to cater for community events
- Lighting for Brunswick’s sport fields, skate park, pathways & bike tracks to increase access to, and at recreational events, and for better mobility between town and Bayside, especially for young people and for families with young children
- Preserving the harbour, its surrounding Crown Land Reserves and facilities for use by the public and residents
- An awareness campaign to raise public knowledge about where to go and what to do in the case of an emergency or disaster in Brunswick Heads
- Vocational and personal mentorships for young people with local professionals, tradespeople, inspired individuals, artists, musicians, sportspeople, etc.
- Kids playground and other facilities for local and visiting families, which includes improving existing playgrounds, designing a new playground to cater for children with and without disabilities, and creating a multi-activity family space with a children’s circular bike track, etc.
- Creating a native coastal botanic environment at Torakina Park making it into a parklike, safe environment with improved public facilities, (no cafes or shops).
- Two food projects focused on developing a culture of home-grown village produce; a community food garden and the planting of food trees such as bush tucker, pecans, etc. around Brunswick Heads.
“There has been plenty of interest expressed about many other projects, so Brunswick can expect to see lots of action over coming months and years to make these a reality. For example, project proposals promoting arts and culture, energy efficiency, retaining/increasing affordable housing, sustainable business practices, environmental protection, plus many others have also been put forward,” said Ms Watson.
What's next?
“Our role over the next few months is to support project groups to become viable so that they can bring these projects to fruition, or at least take the first steps to carry out any further research and consultation needed and identify possible resources and funds,” said Ms Watson.
We will also support anyone who would like to kick-start a project group to develop a proposal that was not selected at the workshop, or even a new idea, as long as it fits within the Draft Guiding Principles and Strategic Priorities for the Draft Community Plan.
These Draft Principles & Strategic Priorities express the direction and collective values of the community members who have participated in consultations. There is strong support for Brunswick Heads to maintain its low key village lifestyle and take steps to reduce its ecological footprint. Also well supported has been the need of the community to strengthen its capacity to prepare for unforeseen challenges.
Encouraging sustainable and innovative business activity, protecting and enhancing the natural environment, respecting the rights of future generations to meet their own needs, and strengthening community cohesiveness are all principles which will now guide the direction for future projects emerging from the consultations.
Project Groups
Anyone wanting join or start a project group can put their name down at the Visitor Centre at 7 Park St. or contact:
Penny Watson: <communityfacilitation@gmail.com> Ph: 0413 748 864
Robert Rosen <rrosen@mullum.com.au> Ph: 66851 090 / 0424 075 029
Community plan window display
You can view the list of project groups to date and all the information to date at the window display at 1 Park Street, between Yami’s and the Professionals.
Download the latest media release about the recent community planning workshop below.
