THE vision for the Penola district over the next decade will be redefined at a public meeting next week as Wattle Range Council moves to update the town’s community plan as stage two works on the Penola Bypass loom.
Community concerns have previously been raised over the northern bypass project and its impact on the Penola business and tourism sector.
While the long-awaited infrastructure proposal aims to remove heavy vehicles from Church Street to improve safety and amenity in the township, it remains unknown what impact the bypass will have on the local economy with motorists required to “turn off” to visit Penola.
Devised in 2015, the town plan was a council first and outlines what residents believe are the area’s biggest assets and what strategies are needed to ensure it continues to thrive.
Council chief executive Ben Gower said the plans enabled Wattle Range communities to drive their own individual strategic vision for their town and identify projects and initiatives they would like to see progressed over the ensuing 10 years.
“We have 13 towns with different needs and preferences in Wattle Range,” Mr Gower said.
“The Penola and Coonawarra community is keen to freshen up its plan due to the bypass with concerns raised about its impact on the town.
“This meeting is to kickstart the process of creating a new plan – we need to dust off the old one, have a look of what we have completed, what we can remove and what we can improve on.”
Mr Gower said the concept encouraged community to create 95pc of the plan with council just setting the initial framework.
“It’s almost entirely directed by the residents and not by council,” he said.
“Council then adopts the plan and every year as we go through budget deliberations we see what projects we can roll into the process for each of the town plans.
“It is and exciting process and we believe it is consultation done the right way.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin encouraged community members to attend the town meeting.
“I’m so pleased the Penola Bypass project is finally being completed,” he said.
“Getting heavy vehicles out of the main street brings great opportunities for the town centre both for the local community and visitor numbers.
“The meeting being held by the council is a wonderful initiative to engage the community in how to take advantage of these opportunities.
“I would encourage people to attend and have their input into what their town could look like – the best town plans are ones that have true local community ownership.”
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said although he understood community concerns raised by the bypass, he believed good planning would ensure there was little to no impact.
“This road, which is due to be completed in 2020, will allow heavy vehicle traffic to bypass the main street, making the township safer and more appealing to the thousands of visitors who stop there each year,” he said.
“I understand some residents may be concerned the town will indeed be ‘bypassed’.
“However, I do believe with continued good planning and promotion, this will not be the case.
“Penola has so much to offer, as both an important service centre for the district and through its important links to Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint – by removing heavy traffic from the main street, I believe Penola will be able to grow and capitalise on its rich history as the Limestone Coast’s oldest town.
Mr McBride said increased promotion of the greater Limestone Coast, both nationally and internationally, would help Penola become a destination for those wanting to experience the region’s food, wine and culture.
“The Wattle Range Council initiative to update the Penola Community town plan is timely,” he said.
“I look forward to hearing the ideas and initiatives raised by members of this creative community, that will ensure Penola has an exciting future as an important service centre and tourist destination.”
The community information session will be held on February 13 at the Penola Visitor Information Centre.
Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting which will run from 6pm to 8.30pm.
Interested residents can visit www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au/community-town-plans to view the current town plan ahead of next week’s meeting.
