BELLINGEN Shire Council has placed draft Master Plans for the Bellingen, Dorrigo, and Urunga Central Business Districts (CBDs) on public exhibition.

These plans aim to guide the future of the district’s CBDs, informed by the insights and aspirations of the community.

In February 2024, Council conducted four in-person and three online workshops to inform the plans, attended by 137 community members.

Additionally, an online survey garnered 791 responses.

A Youth Workshop was also held at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, attended by 43 young people.

Feedback covered a wide range of topics, including maintaining the unique character and heritage of each area, supporting community facilities, enhancing public spaces, traffic management, environmental conservation, heritage preservation, tourism, art and culture, and integrating First Nations knowledge.

“We are thrilled to present the draft Central Business District Master Plans for Bellingen, Dorrigo, and Urunga and invite our community to provide feedback,” said Mayor Cr Steve Allan.

“The final documents will guide future investments in our CBDs and help us target grant opportunities to support these plans,”

The draft CBD Master Plans are now on public exhibition until 5 pm on 11 July 2024. Three online information sessions are scheduled from 2 – 4 July 2024, each focusing on a specific CBD.

These sessions will feature urban designers and Council officers explaining the proposals, followed by a Q&A session.

To book an online information session, review the draft documents, and submit feedback, please visit the Council’s Have Your Say page at

https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Bellingen-Dorrigo-and-Urunga-CBD-Master-plans

Hard copies of the draft documents are available at the Council Chambers and Shire Libraries.

Feedback can be submitted via the online portal, email at council@bellingenshire.nsw.gov.au, or by mail to the General Manager, RE: Bellingen, Dorrigo, and Urunga CBD Master Plans submission, PO Box117, Bellingen NSW 2454.