Residents, businesses and community groups in Quirindi and Werris Creek are being encouraged to help shape the future of their towns through two upcoming community roundtables.
Liverpool Plains Shire Council is developing individual Place Plans for the two towns, focusing on future housing needs, infrastructure, services and opportunities to strengthen town centres.
Specialist planning consultancy ADW Johnson has been engaged to prepare the plans and has undertaken preliminary research to identify key challenges, opportunities and priorities for both communities.
The plans will provide a long-term framework to guide growth and development, including where new housing should be located and how local infrastructure and services can support future demand.
Liverpool Plains Shire Mayor Charlie Simkin said community input would be essential to ensuring the plans reflected local needs and aspirations.
“The roundtables will give residents, businesses and community groups the chance to share what matters to them and help identify the priorities and opportunities that should be reflected in each town’s Place Plan,” Simkin said.
“If you have a particular idea, an issue you think needs attention, or simply want to be part of the conversation about your community’s future, please come along.
“We have a good starting point from our research so far, but it is the detailed local knowledge that can only come from our residents that is vital to ensure these plans are considered, meaningful and effective for the future of Quirindi and Werris Creek.
“We want to hear directly from the people who live, work and invest in Quirindi and Werris Creek about what works well, what could be better and what they want to see for the future,” he said.
The community roundtables, facilitated by ADW Johnson, will allow participants to review initial research, discuss local challenges and identify priorities to be included in the draft Place Plans.
The Quirindi Community Roundtable will be held on Tuesday, 27 October, from 6.30pm to 8pm at the Quirindi Community Hub, 193 George Street.
The Werris Creek Community Roundtable will follow on Wednesday, 28 October, from 6.30pm to 8pm at Werris Creek Sports, 120–136 Henry Street.
Feedback gathered during the sessions, along with broader community consultation, will help inform the development of the draft plans.
Residents unable to attend can find further information, consultation issues papers and details on how to provide feedback through the Liverpool Plains Shire Council website.
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