Responses have been flying in from locals determined to have their say on the CBD revamp before construction begins on January 29.
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As of Thursday, results to our poll remain largely negative, with 76 per cent (332 of 435) stating they don’t like the plan. 13 per cent were in favour, while six per cent had mixed feelings. The remaining four per cent either said they didn’t care, or chose the ‘other’ option.
Below are the objections.
I think it is a waste of money. We enjoy the shade and it will heat up that much more in the summer. The Inverell Shire is about to destroy the magnificent shade trees, rendering our forebearers provided to enhance the beauty of our business centre. This all came about by one vote in council. What notice did council pay to earlier petition that brought in 2700 signatures two years ago protesting on the removal of the trees. Forgotten, wiped, we are paid to serve the community. At what cost? $40,000 a year - one vote. To hell with the opinions of 2700 district and town residents. Council has staff that has to be employed doing something. Why not destroy the town?
Yesterday, 11:28AM
The plan will greatly interfere with traffic flow and will cripple businesses during construction. Some businesses will go to the wall!!!!
Wednesday, Jan 24th 7:58PM
What makes Inverell special and pleasant are the trees, especially the plain trees. Cut them down and Inverell will be hot and ugly. More trees rather than less. Climate change is real. Green gives air and cools this hot place down.
Replace the broken pipes if there are any. Trees are more important. Large trees are priceless.
I have talked to hundreds of my customers and every single one wants the trees to. Stay. Median strip or not, I don’t care. But if the trees go I will cry - and avoid the town centre!!!!
Wednesday, Jan 24th 7:30PM
Why waste money on something that the people of Inverell don't want.. There are more important things need doing, just go for a drive around our streets & have a look, Chester St. Would be a good start.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 6:38PM
The town looks absolutely stunning the way it is. & what a waste of money. Do our roads that are sadly lacking. Eg .Chester st.,Henderson st etc...
Wednesday, Jan 24th 4:25PM
The plane trees that are damaging the infrastructure need removing and replacing with a more suitable variety of tree. We don't need or want centre plantings and the proposed centre median. Really a huge waste of money.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 4:12PM
It's a waste of time and money, I've been places and had lots of compliments on how lovely the cbd is so why change it!
Wednesday, Jan 24th 3:24PM
My husband is a courier with large scale goods - how is he supposed to complete his job for the next 15 weeks? I feel very sorry for the business owners of Otho St that will suffer greatly.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 2:46PM
I don't want the trees chopped down, I don't like the disruption to the shops, I don't like the dust and dirt. There is nothing wrong with the way the street is now. $700,000 quoted this morning to do the works is ridiculous.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 2:45PM
I don't want the trees chopped down, I don't like the disruption to the shops, I don't like the dust and dirt. There is nothing wrong with the way the street is now. $700,000 quoted this morning to do the works is ridiculous.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 2:42PM
What will be the final cost?
Wednesday, Jan 24th 2:42PM
I hate the futility of the public pretending to have a say. Will not matter if 100% of residents oppose, Council will not listen, they will not negiotiate or change. I would love to see situations where they do.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 2:01PM
I hate the futility of the public pretending to have a say. Will not matter if 100% of residents oppose, Council will not listen, they will not negiotiate or change. I would love to see situations where they do.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 1:48PM
I think the town looks great the way it is and the council needs to stop looking for easy ways out of things. The change will disrupt everything and cause problems.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 1:48PM
No benefit to the community
Wednesday, Jan 24th 1:08PM
As stated above.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 12:42PM
- there are much more important things ISC could spend its money on for example improving rural roads.
- It appears that ISC is showing a blatant disregard for small businesses that will be affected by these works.
- If, to date, 77% of respondents are against the Town Centre Renewal, why is ISC continuing with such a controversial plan with very little consideration for rate payers- those who elected them.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 12:12PM
The streets are so beautiful and wide. One of the things I love about Inverell! There is ample space for reverse angle parking and this space may be hindered by a median strip down the middle.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 12:13PM
I am a community member with a young family and appreciate being able to park my car in the shade when available. We also shop at Glen Innes and DO NOT like the median strip parking. We have a beautiful main street why ruin something so great!
Wednesday, Jan 24th 12:06PM
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If the trees have to be removed then it would make sense to have started to establish new trees prior to removing the existing trees. This plan will cause huge upheaval to business during its construction. I am confused why the council is undertaking such expensive works when there really is a general consensus amongst most community members that this should not go ahead. The condescending manner in which the council has addressed ratepayers concerns is also disconcerting. Inverell people love the easy access and convenience of our shopping precinct and I'm not sure that the planned works are completely necessary.
Wednesday, Jan 24th 11:50AM
Council have not provided any information to suggest that this so called improvement will have any financial benefit to the community. Claims that there has been community consultation is also a farce. And why has the council been very quite about when this "improvement" will commence - is it because they are aware that this is not supported by the community & are choosing to ignore the rest of us who live here!
Wednesday, Jan 24th 8:50AM
What is so wrong with the existing town plan that can not be simply rectified without such major disruption to the CBD and cost to the shire. The Inverell CBD is currently acknowledged by visitors as being enviously attractive, why is it be changed.
Tuesday, Jan 23rd 7:17PM
The renewal plan is flawed and absolutely not needed. Our much admired Inverell CBD is is attractive, practical and is a valuable asset to our community. It is an example of ISC short-sightedness in organising the demolition of Otho St in heatwave conditions. The detrimental effects to local business owners due to lost trade cannot be ignored. Many businesses will struggle to recover. Whatever way you look at it, the renewal plan is not in the best interests of the Inverell community, it should not go ahead.
Tuesday, Jan 23rd 6:36PM
The town is absolutely beautiful the way the main street is now. Why take away the shade it will take years to have it look like the way it does now. How are all the residents especially the elderly and disable going to get to the bank or newsagent etc it will be a struggle for them. Im pretty sure this money could be better spent on much more needed areas like a men refuge or add roundabouts on the stop and giveway intersections that would make traffic flow easier. Please listen to the town people and be proud of our beautiful main streets keep them as they are!
Tuesday, Jan 23rd 4:36PM
This money could be better spent on updating health services and health infrastructure or supporting local farmers who are struggling. I would hope the council wouldn't be stupid enough to get out of town contractors to complete the town centre renewal work.
Tuesday, Jan 23rd 4:00PM
I don’t feel the streets need to change. They are fine how they are. This is just going to cause more congestion in the Main Street not to mention the festival that has started every year now at Christmas won’t work with it being divided. Some of the things like the jumping castle and stalls won’t fit anymore. It will also disrupt business. Customers already find it hard to park now so imagine once the median strip goes in. Only going to result in more hit and runs as well with less room provided to park
Tuesday, Jan 23rd 6:18AM
Because it’s fine the way it is. Fair enough to remove the plane trees and replace them. But please leave the crossings and the reverse angle parking. And definitely no median strip.
Monday, Jan 22nd 10:31PM
Why upset what everyone is happy with. It will upset the businesses in the area. Our CBD IS LOVELY as it is. Bet there are accidents with th U turns.
Monday, Jan 22nd 10:06PM
It could put my job at risk.
Monday, Jan 22nd 9:37PM
It makes no sense at all to waste rate payers money to wreck and destroy a perfectly functional and asthetically picture perfect street plan.
Monday, Jan 22nd 9:19PM
Waste of money and think it part way destroys the difference our CBD has to other towns.
Monday, Jan 22nd 8:46PM
Waste of my rates. Other streets need fixing before this crap idea.
Monday, Jan 22nd 6:58PM
They failed to listen to the community again
Monday, Jan 22nd 6:59PM
I think leave it be. We do not need a median strip, it is going to congest things even more. Make parking and driving even harder. I do not agree with the plans. Leave the town the way it is. Don't put a median strip in. Terrible idea.
Monday, Jan 22nd 6:21PM
It's great the way it is, dont take out trees, terrible idea
Monday, Jan 22nd 6:27PM
Unnecessary ,and can shire afford it when they are downgrading rural roads and applying for a special rate variation and pity the business owners
Monday, Jan 22nd 4:35PM
One of the beauties of Inverell is its lovely wide streets and gardens and trees. I can understand that some plane trees may be a problem but see no need for a median strip. The town I work in has them and it is unattractive, and many cars mount the strip as they pull out. Without median strips, cars can pull out easily and can turn to drive via Evans St from Otho St to avoid the busy Byron/ Otho St intersection. The wide streets will no longer have the open look so rare in other towns. Keep Inverell special.
Monday, Jan 22nd 3:57PM
Costs money and isn’t needed
Monday, Jan 22nd 4:05PM
The medium strip will be a huge waste of $$$$$ compared to other important works that need doing.
Monday, Jan 22nd 2:23PM
There is barely enough room in the streets as it is . Take 3 mtrs out of the middle of that and there will be chaos trying to park and shop.
Monday, Jan 22nd 1:36PM
The massive amount of funds for this upgrade is extreme.... not warranted, better spent else where on upgrading roads in the shire..!!!
Monday, Jan 22nd 11:04AM
It's a big waste of money. Yes replace the trees but leave the roads alone .
Is council going to compensate all the shop owners for inconvenience and lost of sales.
Monday, Jan 22nd 10:59AM
I have seen this before on numerous occasions and towns and it does not work. You must have free flowing traffic right up to to the business doors. As if you delay people they will go elsewhere, its so easy to just order goods online so why would you bother negotiating traffic or completely changed parking conditions after a rebuild. Also aren't there more important issues like youth employment and getting more business into town not driving it away.
Monday, Jan 22nd 10:26AM
Our streets are way too narrow for a median strip to have enough room to park and if they decide on nose in parking it will cause more accidents as you're backing out blind. Backing into a park you can see whats behind you. With nose in parking most of the car is out before you can see whats coming. And as for the plane trees, if they get rid of them then they would have to be replaced with something just as big and shady. People love those trees. The whole thing is ridiculous.
Monday, Jan 22nd 10:15AM
I can’t parallel park nor can most of Inverell.
Monday, Jan 22nd 10:11AM
I can’t parallel park nor can most of inverell ..
Monday, Jan 22nd 10:11AM
Nothing wrong with the shopping center now , absolute waste of money.
Monday, Jan 22nd 9:03AM
There will be no shade for parked vehicles, the new trees will take ages to mature & will only provide shade to the centre of the roadway.
With the medium strip, why! It will make it even more difficult for emergency Services etc,
The CBD works really well as it is, why change it!
I’m sure the rate payers money to be spent could be used for much better projects.
Monday, Jan 22nd 8:57AM
By reducing the access of vehicles you reduce the ability of many people with limitations to mobility or stamina from accessing the area. People go for the easy option, that means not going to shops where you can’t park close by. I would avoid taking my parent, who is elderly, to a shopping area where I could not find easy access for parking. We do not need a disability park, it is just a stamina issue. So any action that reduces parking or changes the flow of traffic will result in less potential for businesses. This is not a forward step for Inverell. At the moment I bring my parent to Inverell (I live here but they don’t) to shop. Adding a mall means we can have the same result shopping in Tamworth or Armidale in air conditioned malls, we won’t bother with local shopping trips anymore. No fuss, just two less customers on a regular basis, about $1000 a month gone to another town.
Monday, Jan 22nd 8:38AM
The wide shady streets are lovely . Keep them as they are.
Monday, Jan 22nd 8:51AM
Leave the trees! They offer valuable shade in summer. The replacement trees are not the same. Inverell has a lovely main street, don’t waste money where it isn’t needed.
Monday, Jan 22nd 8:43AM
Remove the plane trees as they are filthy, drain blocking trees that cause the road and pavement to move with those shallow roots.
Replace the plane trees with a more appropriate variety of tree.
Monday, Jan 22nd 8:32AM
Leave the trees Inverell is already beautiful and attractive
Monday, Jan 22nd 7:53AM
Inverell has wide well planned streets providing a vibrant shopping environment.
Monday, Jan 22nd 7:32AM
A medium strip will reduce parking and simply is just not needed. I like our town why change it? It it will be anything like tamworth it will be a disaster! Tamworth residents avoid their Main Street
Monday, Jan 22nd 7:17AM
I don't think it needs it. It looks great and works fine the way it is. A waste of money if you ask me.
Monday, Jan 22nd 7:12AM
The big wide streets set us apart from all the other towns that have put in median strips, Many visitors comment on this fact. I also think the money can be used better elsewhere, the council should be doing what the community wants not what they think is going to help the town.
Monday, Jan 22nd 6:23AM
Inverell is a beautiful place as it is! We don’t need a median strip, you need to leave the trees alone! They are apart of inverell! It’s not the city so why knock them down and try and make it a city! LEAVE IT ALONE
Monday, Jan 22nd 5:37AM
I think the money could be better spent elsewhere, the streets are already narrow enough and we like parking in the shade when we can. I don’t like the idea of a median strip
Monday, Jan 22nd 5:13AM
The trees are what makes the main streets unique. As a property owner in the shire, i also dont want my rates to be increased to pay for an unneccesary
And wasteful project
Monday, Jan 22nd 1:21AM
It takes away the history of the main street. Also the summer heat would be more unbearable without the shade trees.
Monday, Jan 22nd 1:17AM
We love our beautiful trees and wide streets. These are much admired by our visitors. Leave it alone ! There must be heaps of other projects to spend money on.
Sunday, Jan 21st 11:20PM
We love our beautiful trees and wide streets. These are much admired by our visitors. Leave it alone ! There must be heaps of other projects to spend money on.
Sunday, Jan 21st 11:20PM
It is not needed
Sunday, Jan 21st 10:56PM
I am not fazed at the removal of the trees as I think they are making a huge mess, the bird droppings outside of Coles and the credit union is disgusting and the balls that they drop are dangerous to pedestrians but I think the median strip is a terrible idea
We have lovely wide streets, why destroy them and make the street more congested than it is already.
I serve many out of town people at my work and they all think Inverell is a lovely town
If it’s not broken don’t fix it
Sunday, Jan 21st 10:47PM
There been too many councils with the same ideas around the country and in towns ive lived in, that clearly show this hasnt worked. Frustrated residents and business owners not only have to get around construction but also try to get the extra business because of difficult access. Theres a lot of elderly and less able bodied people in this town and they have enough difficulty as it is without further obstructions. The money can be diverted to other needed areas in the community.
Sunday, Jan 21st 10:38PM
Money better spent elsewhere
Sunday, Jan 21st 10:40PM
A centre median strip is a stupid idea, just look at Tamworth. It is a waste of tax payers funds. And why is it going to take so long? Businesses are going to lose money during the construction phase.
Sunday, Jan 21st 10:34PM
I don’t believe it’s been properly considered. I don’t think the council has given enough thought to the effect the roadworks, closures, noise and traffic will have on the small businesses in town. I believe the streets are lovely, and replacing trees in situ might work just as well as tearing up decent streetscapes and parking spaces. If it goes anything like Glenn Innes’ updates, it will take forever and the town will suffer.
Sunday, Jan 21st 6:19PM
Money could be spent elsewhere, especially on maintence of street roads
Sunday, Jan 21st 4:02PM
Inverell is beautiful as it is now. The proposal of a central planting strip is crazy. The council needs to support local retail not hinder them. The amount of people who come to and pass through town that I have dealt with have all commented on how beautiful our town is, when I tell them of the proposal of changing the town centre, they shake their heads and say "WHY". I really hope our council listens and takes on board the views of those who oppose this Town Centre Renewal Plan!
Sunday, Jan 21st 1:03PM
No need.
Sunday, Jan 21st 9:05AM
The construction of a median strip is costly and unnecessary. Local businesses will be detrimentally affected. I implore Council to listen to the views of the majority of it's rate payers.
Sunday, Jan 21st 8:19AM
It’s going to affect the retail business in which I work, I think it’s an unnessessary expenditure and it’s lovely the way it is.
Sunday, Jan 21st 1:54AM
hate the idea of median strip. There are many other projects that could be done.
Saturday, Jan 20th 11:18PM
Never known a consumer come to a town just because it has nice Main Street. Inverells great range of boutique shops is what makes the difference. If they close Otho and Byron will die
Saturday, Jan 20th 11:00PM
As above
Saturday, Jan 20th 8:26PM
As above
Saturday, Jan 20th 8:26PM
STOP WASTING MONEY ON THINGS THAT DONT NEED TO BE FIXED!! FOCUS ON FIXING ROADS LIKE CHESTER STREET!
WE PAY MORE THAN ENOUGH IN RATES OUR OPINIONS SHOULD MATTER AND BE HEARD!!
Saturday, Jan 20th 8:32PM
Completely unnecessary waste of taxpayer money!
Saturday, Jan 20th 8:27PM
It is an entirely unnecessary expense, the town is fine as is.I don't understand the council wanting to restrict vehicle movement and access to business's permanently by reducing the amount of parking.This council is wanting to spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars on unnecessary so called improvements while on the other hand they are sending out letters to rural areas outlining the reclassification of certain roads to a lower level so that they are not maintained to the same level, pre reclassification.Meaning some roads that supply access to multiple peoples houses and properties will now only be maintained once every two years, while one of the main streets in town, that was only resealed not that long ago, will now be ripped up, re-arranged and resealed for no local area financial benefit. What does the Inverell Shire Council actually plan to achieve with these works?
Saturday, Jan 20th 6:43PM
Absolutely stupid idea and if they change parking to nose in then the council it just trying to cause accidents.
Saturday, Jan 20th 5:58PM
I cannot see how the council can justify this. It will put undue stress on businesses, there are more areas in need than this project (unsealed roads in appalling condition), and why fix something that isn’t broken - Inverell is already considered to be beautiful. I am concerned about the safety of young children, older residents and the sight-impaired pedestrians being hidden by the median strip, which is really a useless addition to the street scape.
Saturday, Jan 20th 5:50PM
There are higher priorites to spend money
Saturday, Jan 20th 4:52PM
We do not need to waste money on revamping the streets. Our local businesses will suffer as will the towns people. Let’s focus on improving other community facilities.
Saturday, Jan 20th 3:53PM
I don’t like it because it is a waste of taxpayers money.
Saturday, Jan 20th 3:13PM
[Gravatar] 191,705,273
I don't think there is anything wrong with the Street the way it is, this will just cause congestion in the street and be a waste of Monet that could be spent on better things for the community
Saturday, Jan 20th 2:00PM
there is simply no need for it and the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Saturday, Jan 20th 1:31PM
We have very little shade available with seating and once these trees are gone what happens to the elderly and more fragile members of the community.
Saturday, Jan 20th 1:30PM
Waist of money and rates are going up already not happy at all
Saturday, Jan 20th 1:01PM
It is unnecessary and will harm the businesses in the main streets and 7 councillors do not have the right to disrupt businesses and their everyday trading without a real need
Saturday, Jan 20th 12:52PM
Inverell is a beautiful town as it is , Always hearing comments from visitors to the town , The money set aside for this project could be better spent in the town , fixing the streets in residential areas and Fernhill road needs to be widened , not safe to meet an oncoming car on ,
DONT FIX SOMETHING THAT ISNT BROKEN !!!!
Saturday, Jan 20th 12:39PM
Why change what is one of the prettiest towns in the area, why ruin it by ripping out trees and changing parking, it works how it is.
Saturday, Jan 20th 12:26PM
The plane trees are what make this town beautiful, why I chose to move here in fact!
Saturday, Jan 20th 11:45AM
We have a beautiful town and main streets, the plane trees were great shade and you cut them down . Now you want to wast money on streets that are working ok and are not a problem to waste money that could be put to better use . There are streets around town and roads need work and i think its time council listens to the people and dose what town people want. Or may be we need to have change in council.
Saturday, Jan 20th 11:19AM
It will take up room in the middle of the road- how will our large vehicles cope?
It creates att the shade in the middle of the road.
Why fix what ain’t broke?
Saturday, Jan 20th 10:41AM
Our town is beautiful the way it is. Our council seems to be wasting money on things like this when there are more important features in our community that need addressing. This is going to impact our businesses during construction that are already struggling to stay afloat. Once you lose that it is exceptionally hard to get back. Look at Glen Innes.
Saturday, Jan 20th 9:54AM
Inverell has a very attractive streetscape as is.
Saturday, Jan 20th 9:30AM
All that is needed is a round about on cnr evans and otho street and tingha bridge, chester st and the highway. And possibly a multi level parking complex either on top of the new hong yuens carpark or next to the old RTA if necessary. These options would have much smaller impact on town life and local business then the pending plans. Im not happy.
Saturday, Jan 20th 9:14AM
Council needs to listen to the concerns and opinions of those people who voted you in. There is no need to change the wonderful FABRIC and atmosphere that Inverell has. This plan they have generated has not worked in all the previous towns I have lived in. Take note please.