Urunga, NSW – The Bellingen Shire Council is seeking community input to help shape the future of Urunga’s town centre, inviting expressions of interest for a Community Reference Group (CRG) as the significant CBD Redevelopment Project moves into its design phase.
Bellingen Shire Council is inviting Expressions of Interest from community members to join the Community Reference Group (CRG) for the Urunga CBD Redevelopment Project, as the design phase of this significant project gets underway.
Following the success of Council’s Urunga CBD Master Plan, which was shaped by extensive community engagement, Council has secured $6.5 million in funding to begin detailed design and initial construction works. The funding includes $1 million from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, $5.2 million from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program, and a $300,000 co-contribution from Council.
In February 2024, Council ran a large-scale engagement process to shape the Master Plans for Bellingen, Dorrigo and Urunga, involving over 137 participants across seven in-person and online workshops, as well as 791 online survey responses. This process captured invaluable community feedback on a wide range of topics, including accessibility, public spaces, heritage, traffic, tourism, environment, and First Nations culture. A Youth Workshop with 43 students also ensured younger voices were heard.
Mayor Cr. Steve Allan said that this next phase of community engagement will continue to build on that strong foundation.
“By using a targeted community engagement approach during the design phase, we can ensure that feedback already gathered through the Master Plan process is carried through into the detailed designs,” Mayor Allan said.
“This process also ensures our community understands what’s possible within the project’s budget and what priorities can realistically be delivered through this funding. While we know there will be different opinions about how the money should be allocated, we’re committed to making these decisions in consultation with the Community Reference Group and the broader community.”
Apply Now to Join the Community Reference Group
The CRG will play a key role by reviewing design proposals, sharing information with the broader community, and providing feedback to Council. Council is seeking applicants who:
• Have a strong connection to Urunga.
• Represent local residents, businesses, reserve land managers, First Nations groups or other community networks.
• Reflect a diversity of age, culture, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Members must be available to attend a minimum five scheduled workshops and act as a communication bridge between Council and the community maintaining strong lines of communications with both throughout the process.
Please note, this is a volunteer role, and while no payment is provided, the opportunity offers a meaningful way to contribute to shaping the future of Urunga’s town centre.
Applications close Thursday, 31 July 2025.
Interested residents can apply online at www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au.
Community members who want to stay updated on the project but are unable to make the time commitments needed for the Community Reference group, are invited to join the Council’s project specific mailing list. This group will receive updates on the discussion, workshop outcomes and provide avenues for feedback consideration for the group discussions.