The North Bellingen Action Group (NbAG) will hold its next community meeting on Sunday 5 July gathering at 11.30- for Meeting start 12:00 midday at the Luncheon Pavilion, Bellingen Showground. All residents are invited to attend. A hot soup lunch and informal get‑together will be provided before the meeting commences.
The meeting follows the well‑attended public gathering on 2 March, where 40 residents came together to discuss urgent safety concerns about Hammond Street, Black Street, Dowle Street Wheatley Street and, including East Wheatley Street. Since that time, continuous rain has caused further deterioration of the Hammond Street footpath, making conditions increasingly unsafe for older residents, children walking to and from school, mobility scooter users, families and visitors walking to the Showground, the Providore or the bridge. Residents attending the last meeting decided to establish North bellingen Action Group (NbAG) to highlight important issues for North Bellingen residents.
A new Pedestrian and Mobility Plan (PAMP) Public Consultation will soon be announced by Bellingen Shire Council (BSC). Our understanding and participation as a community in the PAMP is important because we need to input the following areas:
• where footpaths go
• where crossings are installed
• which streets get traffic calming
• how mobility scooter users move safely
• how children walk to events
Discussions on 5th July will include:
1. That the Hammond Street upgrade is assessed within the context of the entire Showground precinct, not as a standalone project.
2. Black Street, Dowle Street and Wheatley Street are included in a coordinated pedestrian and traffic safety plan, recognising their shared function as access routes to the Showground and the northern approach to Lavenders Bridge.
3. A new Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) is developed, as the 2016 PAMP no longer reflects current traffic conditions, land‑use patterns, accessibility needs or Council’s new infrastructure proposals.
4. Future funding applications are evaluated on the basis of network connectivity, consistent with Transport for NSW’s Active Transport Program requirements.
NbAG spokesperson Caroline Joseph said, we look forward to the forthcoming announcement of the new Pedestrian and Mobility Plan by BSC because of the worsening condition of Hammond Street. Recent continuous rain has further highlighted the need for coordinated planning, and for North Bellingen residents, the upgrade of Hammond Street is not a “Maybe” but a “Must Be”