Cabonne Mayor Kevin Beatty with Andrew Gee Federal Member for Calare and Jamie Jones, Deputy Mayor of Cabonne Council discussing the plans for Canowindra.
It’s no secret to those locals who live in Canowindra, there is something quite charming and unique about Gaskill Street. Somewhat fittingly the meandering street follows the crooked route of the old bullock track, with the old buildings contributing to an old-world air.
Unfortunately, given the location of Gaskill Street, many would-be visitors to Cabonne miss the magic of Gaskill Street in Canowindra.
There is opportunity for Canowindra’s main street to continue to grow into a creative business and tourist hub, set amidst its historic village atmosphere and natural river setting.
Over the last years, Council has been working with the Canowindra community, including with the Canowindra Business Chamber and Progress Association, to make Gaskill Street an even more inviting and attractive place for a range of both locals and visitors to Canowindra alike.
This consultation process showed that the Canowindra community highly values the heritage of the main street and wants to see that maintained and enhanced, improve recreational facilities near the town centre, as well as assist visitors to Canowindra in finding Gaskill Street.
The Canowindra Town Centre and River Precinct Activation Project aims to develop Canowindra as a key regional destination and leveraging off the town’s unique characteristics and offerings, to diversify the local economy and grow the town as a local business and tourism hub.
This Project will provide an improved business amenity to encourage new business growth in Canowindra, whilst also improving accessibility and walkability through better wayfinding and connectivity between the town centre and the Swinging Bridge river precinct.
The goal of the Canowindra Town Centre and River Precinct Activation Project will improve the attraction, amenities, and ease of access throughout Canowindra Town Centre, provide an improved business amenity to encourage new business growth in Canowindra, whilst ensuring that the Project reflects the community’s aspirations of a vintage, rustic, and nostalgic Canowindra.
The Project will incorporate furniture using vintage styling, as well as utilise native palm trees, and other plantings where appropriate.
This Project will not only benefit existing residents and businesses, but support new and emerging markets, making the Project a worthwhile investment for Council and the wider community, as has been evidenced by the financial support of both the State and Federal Governments.
The entire Project is expected to take approximately two years to complete, with Council currently developing the comprehensive delivery plan for the Project, in order to minimise disruption to businesses and residents alike. Over the next few months Canowindra locals will be hearing a lot more about this exciting Project, including a timeline for completion.
We know that there will be a number of challenges as we undertake this Project, and this will require a great deal of patience and understanding from both locals and businesses, however Council is committed to continuing communications as the Project proceeds closer to construction.
Information on the Project is available on Council’s website www.cabonne.nsw.gov.au/Council/Major-Projects/Canowindra-CBD-Activation-Project
Cabonne Council looks forward to working with the community to reinvigorate both Gaskill Street and the Swinging Bridge precinct, in order to really showcase the magic that is Canowindra!
An artist’s impression of the Swinging Bridge River Precinct Activation Project.