ALBURY Council will spend the next 12 months identifying a suitable location in central Thurgoona to create a major public open space after agreeing to press ahead with a smaller community area adjacent to a recently open service station.
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But this week, council decided to move ahead with some minor design changes made and a promise to investigate a bigger open space somewhere else in the Thurgoona commercial district.
Deputy mayor Amanda Cohn instigated the move in addition to accepting a tender from Enviro Culture Services worth $327,276 for the works.
“We’re faced with a piece of land left over from a servo and fast food development that is between that development and a roundabout,” Cr Cohn said.
“The proposed community space is certainly an improvement on leaving that land empty.
“But I also understand the disappointment of Thurgoona residents who expected a major neighbourhood centre and public courtyard in that area.”
Suggested improvements by TCAG including a mural wall on the boundary with the fast food outlet, community notice board and reducing the amount of concrete were ruled out.
But, drinking fountain, bike racks, rubbish bins and signage have been added to the plan at a cost of about $50,000.
The council will consider a name for the area when works are completed.
Meanwhile, council has approved a tender from JC Butko Engineering worth $154,994 for the creation of a pedestrian bridge across Bungambrawartha Creek in Jones Street and carry out repairs to the existing traffic bridge.
All tender submissions were well under the $385,000 budget allocation which was queried by Cr John Stuchbery.
Engineering department group leader Greg Whorlow said original plans drafted up four years ago envisaged major works for a pedestrian walkway being added to the traffic bridge.
“Since those original concepts council has had experience with prefabricated bridges, particularly along Table Top Road,” he said.
“These bridges are far cheaper to produce and can essentially be placed in a couple of hours rather than days, weeks or even months.”
