Talwood residents encouraged to help create town’s ‘master plan’

Goondiwindi Regional Council is encouraging Talwood residents to get involved and give their input into the development of a Talwood ‘master plan’ that will support local tourism, collate local priorities and improve the town’s liveability and appearance.

Council will work with members of the Talwood Community Consultative Committee (CCC) to develop the plan, with the first steps of the project set to get under way at the next Talwood CCC meeting on Tuesday 27 April.

Council will seek feedback from the local community about a range of different options with the objectives of encouraging more tourism in Talwood, improving wayfinding and visitor information, and the general development and beautification of the town. That community feedback will then be presented back to the Talwood CCC, who will have final say on which community projects the master plan will prioritise.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said the process would also enable the community to identify key projects for Council’s new Capital Works program, which can then be prioritised as funding becomes available.

“This is a great opportunity for the community and Council to work in partnership and come up with a vision for Talwood - as guided by the people who live there,” Cr Springborg said. “Working with the community to create a ‘master plan’ for the town will ensure we have a more focused, strategic approach going forward, so we can streamline key projects for consideration and work towards a shared goal.”

Cr Springborg, who holds Council’s portfolio for Economic Development, Tourism and Events, said the Talwood project would follow in the footsteps of the Yelarbon master plan, which has already delivered an impressive range of works with a focus on enhancing the town’s visitor experience.

“We’ve seen great success with a similar model over in Yelarbon, where Council worked with the Yelarbon CCC to develop, streamline and prioritise their wish list of projects for the town. This has already led to an impressive suite of works being delivered in the first year - from a new audio visitor information sign and local history displays, to picnic shelters and artwork installations,” he said.

“With the support of the local community, the Yelarbon CCC has been able to guide these works - and more - to improve their town. I have to congratulate them on achieving what is a really impressive transformation in the past twelve months alone, and it’s extremely encouraging to see how well-received these projects have been by visitors.

“The aim now is to achieve similar success in Talwood and create a master plan of works that will encourage visitors to stop and spend time in the town and support local businesses while also improving the town’s liveability and street appeal.”

All Talwood residents are invited to attend the Talwood CCC meeting on Tuesday 27 April - further details will be shared by the Talwood CCC secretary closer to the time. Council has committed to providing Talwood residents with a variety of ways to provide their feedback, including face-to-face meetings with local community groups and individuals, so residents will have many more opportunities to get involved with the project going forward.