Bourke Shire Council Growing Bourke and Community Increasing the experiences of community, business and visitors to the Bourke Local Government Area Introduction This document is in 4 parts 1. Stronger Country Communities Round 3 – Project Overview 2. Review of existing tourism strategies and objectives 3. Review of existing Infrastructure in the CBD of Bourke 4. Enhancing Existing Infrastructure to improve visitor experience This document outlines infrastructure projects with an estimated cost of approximately $1 Million, focusing on improving existing community / business infrastructure before considering new projects. The areas of focus include; • Bourke Sporting Precinct (Davidson and Coolican Ovals) • Central Park Precinct • Mainstreet / Wharf Precinct - greater visitor / community experience • Tourism Signage - (Directional and Interpretive) Greatest Community and Economic Benefit Bourke Central Oxley Street Tourism Sporting Park and Wharf Signage Precinct Precinct Precinct Enhancing Existing Council / Community Assets Required Actions from Council 1. Prioritise projects for Stronger Country Communities Round 3 and adopt priorities for the August meeting of Council 2. Advocate and promote priorities to the community – Council must lobby the community for support of projects chosen. These projects will be in competition with other projects in the Bourke LGA for Stronger Country Communities Round 3 Funding 3. Council to adopt the “Growing Bourke” Document, demonstrating support for included projects, when funding opportunities may become available. 2 1. Snapshot Stronger Country Communities – R3 Project Cost Timeframe Fund Grant $ Council $ Bourke Sporting $320,000 18 months SCC-R3 $320,000 $0 Precinct Safety Fence Central Park Bike $70,000 18 months SCC-R3 $70,000 $0 Track Tourism Links $310,000 18 months SCC-R3 $272,500 $37,500 Standing Stories – $101,500 18 months SCC-R3 $101,500 $0 Recognition of Indigenous History TOTAL SCC-R3 - $764,000 Project Cost Fund Grant $ Council $ Others $ Bourke Aboriginal Create $772,190 $665,019 $8,000 $99,171 Art & Culture Centre NSW Bourke Ceramics Create $60,000 $60,000 $0 $0 Centre NSW TOTAL $832,190 $725,019 3 4 2. Review of Existing Strategies and Objectives Bourke has identified culture, location and history as the basis of its tourism industry. The Bourke Tourism Strategy 2009 identifies in its Mission Statement; Through strategic planning and development, Bourke Shire Council aims to increase the number of visitors coming to the region and to ensure that they have a quality experience while in Bourke. Through this planning and development, we will increase the welfare of the town through greater visitor spending and pass on our rich history and experiences. Bourke identifies the need to develop a tourism industry for “greater visitor spending” that will result in economic benefits to business and community. The Bourke Tourism Strategy 2009 also identifies the following objectives; • Establish trends in the visitation to Bourke • Plan strategies for the development of Bourke tourism • Increase visitation • Increase the satisfaction level of visitors to Bourke and encourage positive word of mouth promotion • Segment the Bourke tourism market and establish marketing strategies • Evaluate the effectiveness of tourism strategies • Work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote Bourke and foster development • Bourke identifies the need to develop a tourism industry for “greater visitor spending” that will result in economic benefits to business and community In addition to the above objectives, Bourke Shire Council also acknowledges the need to enhance tourist experiences in the Bourke CBD by; • Acknowledge and promote Aboriginal Heritage and Culture • Improve access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the CBD of Bourke • Ensure there are facilities for all visitors and tourists – children, families, couples, aged and disabled – that provide engagement and access • Enhance visitor experiences with a push / pull strategy to encourage visitors to spend more time in the CBD, resulting in increased foot traffic for businesses Tourism is a vital part of the Bourke economy, with most businesses being direct or indirect beneficiaries – more visitors, more foot traffic, more spending in Bourke, means more economic activity in the community. 5 3. Review of Existing Infrastructure in the CBD This document identifies the CBD of Bourke as the following area; Significant changes and enhancement to community infrastructure has taken place throughout the Bourke CBD over the past 2 years. Projects indicated in green and with a tick - Theses identify current areas that have recently undergone considerable improvements, enhancing the community and visitor infrastructure Projects indicated in red and with a cross – Theses identify current areas that require strengthening to capitalise on the infrastructure beautification of the Bourke CBD ? Future Projects - These identify new projects that are designed to enhance existing infrastructure and build on community and tourist experiences 6 2a. Projects Completed or in Progress in the CBD Central Park Central Park has been developed as a hub for community activity with the inclusion of; skate park, children’s play equipment, shade sails, ½ basketball court, exercise equipment, inclusion of toilet facility, increased lighting, new tennis court fence, painting and beautification of Tennis Club House. Oxley Street A $1.5M redevelopment of Oxley Street is nearly complete. The development aims to stimulate commercial renewal in the town centre and includes features to make: • Oxley Street a more attractive destination • Future design links to Sturt Street • The legal area more attractive precinct • Clear connections to encourage the integration of Oxley Street with Sturt Street and the Wharf • A better, more comfortable and safer public domain • Better access through the centre for pedestrians • Encourage high quality design of business frontages and increased sustainability. Royal Park Developments in Oxley Street Darling Park Amphitheatre Darling Park Amphitheatre has been funded ($180K) by the Drought Communities Fund. This project includes a community amphitheatre located at "Darling Park" - seating structures, building and installing garden beds / landscape infrastructure, planting lawns and gardens. The creation of a public space for local and interstate performances, outdoor meeting place and community hub for social engagement will improve the "liveability" of Bourke. This project will tie the main street to the River creating a social and retail "link" between the main street and businesses around the Wharf area. This project will contribute to the economic activity of the region and the retention of business and services particularly benefits to the tourism industry with additional infrastructure to support community events Wally Mitchell Wharf Precinct - Wharf Re-Decking Drought Communities Funding of $60K received and project completed. Wal Mitchell Wharf Precinct is identified as a pivotal tourist attraction and piece of community infrastructure in Sturt Street, this area is a priority for the community and Council to develop and maintain. This public space / Wharf is used daily by visitors to Bourke and residents of Bourke - the number of users is exponential - Families, children, youth, sporting groups, schools, PCYC, NFP organisations, Aboriginal Community and visitors to Bourke. Walkway to BOB Centre – Stages 1 and 2 Stage 1 completed - $100,000, funded by Stronger Country Communities Fund. Stage 1 of the Bourke Levee Bank Tourist Walk involves a 250M concrete pedestrian / cycle path from Wal Mitchell Precinct in Sturt Street, running along the top of the existing town levee to Richard Street before ramping down onto Darling Street and then along the Darling River to the North of Bourke township. Stage 2 – commenced - $100,000, funded by Stronger Country Communities Fund. Stage 2 of the Bourke Levee Bank Tourist Walk involves a sealed walk-way / cycle way from Richard Street to the Back-O-Bourke Centre. Sturt Street / Wharf Precinct Place Making Funding of $300K has been secured from Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 2 - project and works have commenced and are due to be completed by mid-2020. The Wally Mitchell Wharf Precinct has within its bounds Bourke Wharf, retail shops, public toilets, access to Crossly Engine and access to Darling River. This area will be developed to create an outdoor space for residents and visitors, increased disabled access, pedestrian access and parking. The area will be more inviting for foot traffic to visit the Wharf area and this will lead onto the walkway connecting Bourke township to the Back O Bourke Centre. Bourke Men’s Shed, Community Garden and Gallery This facility was purchased by Bourke Shire Council in 2015 as a community garden and art space. This facility has potential as a place of interest for tourists to purchase local arts and crafts. Muda Aboriginal Art Space and Gallery Land and buildings at 26 Oxley St, Bourke, have been purchased as an aboriginal art and culture gallery and centre. The premises has, in the past, been used for a two- year period for this identical purpose and was found to be ideal in both location and capacity. With currently 40 known indigenous male artists, in Bourke and the potential of both female and indigenous youth artists there is a great need for a place where artists can produce and sell their work. This project has been enthusiastically embraced