The Urunga CBD Upgrade, which will deliver significant improvements to the town’s central business district, is ready for the detailed design stage with Bellingen Shire Council awarding the design tender for the project to RPS AAP Consulting.
This exciting project will create a more vibrant and welcoming space for residents, businesses, and visitors as well as enhance accessibility, ensuring the area is easier to navigate for people with mobility challenges and wheelchair users.
For this project Bellingen Shire Council has received $1.1 million from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Community Fund and $5.26 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program. Council is also contributing $300,000 to the project.
The Urunga CBD Master Plan, developed in 2024, identified several priority areas in Urunga. Four of these areas will be the focus of the detailed design stage of the project, including Bowra and Bonville Streets, Morgo Street, the civic walk area near the Urunga Library and the access area to the Urunga Lido.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager Mark Griffioen said that RPS AAP Consulting were selected based on their experience with urban design and past projects they have completed that align with the vision and objectives for the Urunga CBD Upgrade.
“Some of their previous and current projects include the Elderslie Street Restoration in Winton Queensland and the Mackay CBD Revitalisation, both of which demonstrate their experience in designing upgrades that improve existing infrastructure while preserving the unique character of each town,” said Mark Griffioen.
Council has been working closely with the Urunga CBD Community Reference Group (CRG), made up of local residents and business representatives who applied and were selected to help inform Council’s decision-making throughout the project.
Now that the design tender has been awarded, General Manager Mark Griffioen is anticipating that Council will continue to work closely with RPS AAP Consulting, the CRG and the broader community through the detailed design phase.
“The community will have an opportunity to give feedback on these designs through two structured feedback rounds in 2026, which will be considered by Council staff in final design development. This ongoing collaboration will help ensure the final designs reflect community priorities and deliver an outcome the Urunga community can support,” said Mark Griffioen.
“The approach we’re taking for the CBD Upgrade design ensures that we are prioritising the long-term vision for Urunga. Some of the design elements will go beyond what can be built within the current budget for the project, ensuring Council are well positioned for future improvements and grant opportunities, allowing the town to continue evolving.”
The design stage of the project will be finalised in 2026 with completion of the project expected in 2027.
While the tender evaluation process was required to remain confidential to ensure probity and value for money, the Community Reference Group was engaged early and provided with an overview of the tender process and evaluation criteria. Their local insights helped inform Council’s understanding of the skills, experience and approach needed to successfully deliver the project.
Now that the design tender has been awarded, Council will continue to work closely with RPS AAP Consulting, the CRG and the broader community through the detailed design phase. This ongoing collaboration will help ensure the final designs reflect community priorities and deliver an outcome the Urunga community can support.
General Manager Mark Griffioen said community input will remain central to the project’s success.
“Community consultation is key to getting this project right. Council undertook extensive engagement in early 2024 to understand what matters most to the Urunga community, and those priorities are now guiding the detailed design phase,” he said.
“As we refine the identified focus areas, it’s essential the design reflects the identity and character of Urunga, which is why ongoing engagement with the community and the Community Reference Group will remain a core part of the planning process.”
This project is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Residents can stay up to date with progress on the Urunga CBD Upgrade via Council’s website or by signing up to the project mailing list: https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Services/Infrastructure-Projects/Urunga-Precinct-Upgrades/Urunga-CBD-upgrade