Longford will get a substantial upgrade over the next 10 years, after the council moved a motion to release the design plans to the public.
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The Longford Urban Design Strategy proposes appearance works to the main street, starting from the Illawarra Road roundabout.
The council’s regulatory and community services manager Amanda Bond said the aim was to bring everything in the town to one standard. She said the costs will be significant.
Councillor Richard Goss said he wanted the roundabout works to be a focus.
“I hope there is something up and running by next year. It’s a part of our municipality that I’m ashamed of,” Cr Goss said.
Northern Midlands general manager Des Jennings said he hoped State Growth would front the costs to improve the roundabout, with the maintenance costs then being the council’s responsibility.
Councillor Dick Adams said the report was very good, and believes the community would support it.
The consultants, Lange Designs and Loop Architecture, held community consultations during the design phase, with more planned in about a month when the design is updated.
Cr Adams said Longford had suffered for too long because of people who want to do nothing.
A motion was moved in March 2016 to allow the strategy to be developed, which brings together the previous reports and studies prepared for the town.
The council also moved a motion to start planning stage three of the Longford Village Green’s playground.
The council approved the replacement of the original liberty swing design, with a cheaper model, however, they are investigating whether the second design meets Australian standards.
The second model would not be installed if it didn’t meet the standards.
A Northern Midlands resident, Karen Bell, has been fundraising to help assist the council with the swing’s installation. She has raised about $9000, nearly one quarter of what is required.
Cr Goss said it was important to cater for everyone in the community. Councillor Mary Knowles said it would be a “jolly shame” if the swing wasn’t built.