ALMOST 200 residents have had their say on future plans for Penola’s central business district.
The results of the Penola Main Street Masterplan and Placemaking Survey are helping the project team gain a better understanding of what Penola’s strengths and what opportunities exist to enhance the town centre in the future.
Following the cancellation of the original face-to-face consultation due to COVID-19 restrictions, an online survey was developed to continue the consultation phase of the Wattle Range Council-backed project.
According to Adelaide based design company WAX Design, 197 responses were received and the results would guide the company in drafting a design framework and concept plan to reflect the community’s vision.
In an effort to encourage residents to participate, the Penola and District Business and Tourism Association offered a Royal Oak Hotel voucher as an incentive.
Association president Rebecca Trotter praised the community for participating in the survey and hoped the outcome would generate an inviting, inclusive and regenerated town centre.
“There is a great importance of doing the survey as it allows all community members to have their say on the future of our town as it focused not only on the main street of Penola but also the surrounding areas,” she said.
“Having a survey like this benefits our town as it is a good snapshot of how our community currently views the main centre of town.
“We are overall really pleased that so many people took the time to complete the survey and it is a fantastic results for Penola.”
Survey participant and voucher winner Kevin Knott said he had spent a lot of time examining the questions and making suggestions.
“The survey gave opportunities for that and I suggested things such as pop up music events and a farmers market which gives a lot of altitude,” he said.
“I decided to participate because I have always been passionate about where I live.
“I loved having an opportunity to having a say in the region I reside in.”
Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower said the response was healthy and WAX Design would collate the answers before presenting council with a more detailed plan.
“The survey was about gathering as many ideas as we could,” he said.
“Now we will look at the common thoughts and threads that were suggested before WAX Design presents their thoughts back to us.”
“Once the designers come back with their more detailed plans we will then go back to the community for further responses.”
