A MEETING will be held on Monday evening to address concerns businesses have over the proposed Talbragar Street Tree Beautification Project.
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Council placed the proposed designs on public exhibition and extended the closing date for public submissions until Friday, January 15.
The proposed plans include planting trees along the street, the removal of some parking spaces and the installation of public art.
In a letter to businesses along Talbragar Street, council said the 'overall vision is to substantially increase the level of shading within the CBD during the heat of summer, but still allow sun and warmth into the CBD during winter months.'
Business owners in Talbragar Street have joined together to organise a meeting for all concerned business trading in the street or owners of properties in the street.
Talbragar Street traders Peter Sutton, Peter Snare, Kerry Ann George, Gina Brown and Bob Berry issued the invitation for the meeting on Monday, saying the key issues they are looking to discuss include the loss of up to 20 parking spaces, the loss of access within the street due to the proposed median strip, and trees in front of some shop awnings blocking signage and attracting bird population.
Council have said the proposed new plantings in the street would comprise of a Zelkova serrata 'Japanese Elm' and the Angophora floribunda 'rough-barked apple'.
"The key thing is that we are seeing to get a consensus from traders for support or opposition to the proposal, which we can then take back to council as part of their consultation," Mr Berry said.
Ms Brown, owner of Whitneys Jewellers, said parking in the whole of the CBD has been an ongoing issue for some time, and they would like those concerns addressed.
"At the moment we understand these are just plans, but there are aspects of these plans that we are concerned about, the loss of carparks being a big one and the effect that this will have on businesses, especially after the year we have had with Covid.
"It's been hard enough for businesses with the drought, and then Covid, we don't want another hardship to face.
"Customers talk to me, and they haven't ever said the asphalt is too hot, they say they have circled the block and there are still no parks."
Parking spots were also something Kerryann George from Dubbo Culinary and Homewares wanted addressed as well.
"The point of the meeting is to open up a discussion with businesses to come up with the best option that is business friendly.
"At the end of the day Talbragar Street is a business street, not a park and while it's nice to have trees, we don't want to eliminate the parking spots that our customers are using."
Ms George said this was just part of the consultation period.
"Business owners are going to have a different view to what the council staff think, so this is just all part of that consultation.
"Talbragar Street is an important street in Dubbo, and a lot of factors need to be considered."
Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields has said they would listen to what the public want.
"There is a lot of chatter around the community right now about the proposed beautification of Talbragar Street. Just like with South Bridge, my attitude is that if the public don't want it - the public don't get it," Cr Shields said.
"I have the view that community consensus is the best way to make a decision when it comes to policy initiatives and major changes like this. Just like with South Bridge, and the South Dubbo high-density rezoning plan, my view is that the community's wishes should be adhered to."
"We need to do significant work in Talbragar Street - but it's important we get it right. So it's just as important that the community have their say via the submission process," he said.
The meeting will be held on Monday, January 11, at 5.45pm at the Castleragh Hotel.
Public submissions for the proposed project close on Friday, January 15.
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