CONSULTATION confusion appears to be casting a shadow over the $4.6 million central mall development.
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Armidale Regional Council has applied for a $3.3 million grant from the state government, and will co-contribute $1.3 million.
Mayor Simon Murray said if the community did not support the road proposal it couldn’t go ahead.
“People are jumping up and down saying we’re going to bring cars back into the main street – maybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” Mr Murray said.
“Something like that which hasn’t gone to the community you can’t lock yourself into because otherwise it would be a disaster.
“If 70 per cent of the population say ‘No, we don’t want cars in the main street,’ then council couldn’t.
“If they did it they’d be seeing the wrath of the community and I wouldn’t like to do that.”
A Fairfax Media poll revealed the community is split on making the mall accessible to traffic.
Almost 50 per cent said they did not think the proposal was a good idea, while around 43 per cent voted in favour.
The design of the upgrade means if approved, council would be able to close the street to traffic at either end.
But, the construction of a shared space will go ahead regardless if the state government gives the proposal the green light.
While under administration, council agreed to put $558,000 toward the mall over four years.
In the project proposal it has pledged a co-contribution of $1.38 million.
Council hopes it can seek the extra $822,000 from the federal government and budget approval internally.
Council’s group leader of organisational services Lindsay Woodland said council would open an office in the mall where the community could share ideas if the project is approved.
“There are still options, the beauty of this design is that it’s quite flexible, the central mall can be closed or opened to traffic,” he said.
Mall consultation concerns: business
The Express spoke with several retailers in the mall and not one had been consulted about the central mall development.
The project will provide vehicle access to the mall, CCTV, WiFi, smart lighting and street furniture.
Earlier in the year council asked the community where they wanted money from Stronger Country Communities Fund to be spent.
But, Reader’s Companion co-owner Michelle Wheatley said this was not a direct consultation about running a road through the mall.
“For the last couple of years we’ve been giving input about what might be a nice way to rejuvenate the mall,” Ms Wheatley said.
“None of that included traffic through the mall and no one has come to ask us.”
Council’s group leader of organisation services Lindsay Woodland said the flexibility of the plan means that if the community doesn’t agree, the mall can be closed to traffic using gates at either end.
But, if the funding is approved, the shared space will have to go ahead.
If so, retailers will have construction outside their shops for up to 13 months.
Cafe 195 owner Vicky Kembery does not agree with the $4.6 million development.
"It’s the most stupid idea they’ve ever come up with, and they’ve come up with some stupid ideas,” Ms Kembery said.
Office Express owner Jonathan Roberts said he wasn’t consulted about the project, but he supports the upgrade and hopes it will bring life back to the mall.
Fountain removal causes a stir
ANAIWAN elder Steve Widders said he does not support removal of the Reconciliation Fountain.
Located in the centre of the Beardy Street Mall, the fountain will have to be removed if the central mall upgrade is approved.
“It’s not just me as a person, I think the community should be talked to about it,” Mr Widders said.
“A few months ago they had a consultation on how to improve the mall – I spoke to the group as a whole and said ‘Don’t move that fountain, you can change everything else but don’t move the fountain.’
“The reason why it was put there is because it’s in the centre of town, we wanted to highlight the need for reconciliation.”
Mr Widders opened the fountain.
He wants Armidale Regional Council to speak with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders.
“It’s a reconciliation fountain, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation and community groups should be consulted,” he said.
“It’s not just an Aboriginal thing.”