Grand plans for Toc CBD

Some options also include the closure of one of two entrance roads to Town Beach, to “help improve traffic flow and improve the pedestrian experience”.

Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean said it’s now up to the community to view the options, and provide feedback on which elements should be pursued.

She said the drawings were developed based on feedback received during the council’s Community Strategic Plan process, but would be refined with additional feedback.

None of the proposals have yet been costed, nor has council determined where future funding will come from.

But Cr Cornwell McKean says having the plans finalised would give council to pursue any suitable grant funding that might become available in the future.

“It has been quite a journey to get to this point, as part of the Community Strategic Plan process,” she said.

“There are three concepts available to view, and as concepts it means they are not yet set in stone.

“These concepts are designed purely to get the ideas flowing, and I expect in the end we may end up with a combination of all the various proposals.”

Cr Cornwell McKean said council has a view to do similar planning for other shire towns, with Tocumwal “first cab off the rank” because the “timing was right”.

She said Tocumwal and Barooga, particular, have been identified as the shire towns most likely to benefit from anticipated population growth.

“It is about future-looking at our communities, and how they can be uplifted in a commercial sense.

“In Tocumwal the idea is to also keep that natural beauty of the foreshore intact because that’s what the community told us they want.

“All master planning is a good way to map out what’s needed in the community, so we’re ready for future grant opportunities.

“No funding has been allocated yet and there are no costings; this is purely an opportunity for our community to tell us what they want.”

Overall concepts for the Tocumwal CBD cover Barooga St, Deniliquin St, and Murray St.

In Barooga St, it is proposed that upgrades include 31 formalised angle car parking spaces on one side of the street, and gravel parking on the other side for local and visiting traffic.

The gravel section would also be suitable for caravans.

Additional trees would also be planted along the street for extra shade, and the footpath widened from 1m to up to 2.5m while still retaining the heritage brick gutter.

Proposals for Deniliquin St include improving pedestrian crossings and refuges, the addition of a disabled parking bay and three other formalised car parks, and a new nature strip and street trees.

One of the options for this space is to remove road access to the river from Town Beach Rd, to free up the area for better walking paths and shade.

It would also improve vehicle safety and flow by removing the right hand turn on to this road.

River access will continue to be available via Hennessy St.

The concept plans also flag a long-term options of changing the bottle shop to be non-drive through, with customer using the adjacent car park instead.

Council believes this will give more space for Deniliquin St to be redesigned to better help pedestrian movement.

Murray St changes will be more subtle, with additional trees and the addition of four formalised parking spaces the only proposals.

“The concept plan is to be used as a guide by council and developers when considering proposed development,” council said.

“Adopting the concept does not mean it will be built exactly as shown.

“Check out the designs and share your thoughts on the features you love the most.

“Let's shape the future of Tocumwal together.”

To see the concepts and provide feedback, visit the ‘Have your say’ section at www.berriganshire.com.au.

The concept drawings can also be viewed at the Berrigan Shire Council office and at Tocumwal Library.