By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council is making moves to deliver the village of Pratten’s Urban Design Framework (UDF).
UDFs provide a point of reference for the council to understand and implement the shared vision of a community.
A council spokesperson said the installation of directional signage to the waste transfer station and the upgrades or sealing of Ross Street, Elliot Street, Hope Street, and Budgen Street were underway or had been completed.
The spokesperson said council would also be considering a number of other projects in the new planning scheme.
These include:
• Reinforce the role of the intersection of Cunningham Road and White Street in Pratten as the core of Pratten. Continue to support commercial land uses at this central location.
• Encourage non-residential uses along White Street. Buildings should be located to address the street with active frontages. Active frontages refers to street frontages where there is active and visual engagement between those in the street and in the building. This can improve safety and help create vibrant streets. It can be achieved by:
• Orientating buildings to the street
• Ensuring main entrance face and open to the street
• Allowing on-street activity (e.g. tables and chairs)
The UDF for Pratten was passed by the council in June last year.
The framework focussed on three core objectives, those being reinforcing the local identity, township improvements and upgrades, and encouraging a cohesive and active community.
At the time the council stated that “projects included in the plan will help ensure the unique character and identity of the community is protected and enhanced”.
Locals also asked for the creation of distinctive town entries, street tree planting to be undertaken, and for footpaths to be installed in key locations.
Establishing a tourist information and rest stop in the town centre, and improvements to Heritage Park were also identified as projects locals wanted undertaken.
However, some residents provided feedback stating they wanted the focus to be on improving the village for locals, not to attract tourists.
“(The) first priority should be looking after the issues in the town at the moment. Seal the roads and maintain Heritage Park. The park is an area to grow and we want to build the town for the ratepayers, not the tourists.”
The council stated that “the sentiment at consultation was roads and parks…the community are primarily concerned with bitumen roads and one good park”.
There was a particular focus on Heritage Park, with calls for caravan parking, better lighting, more play equipment, additional shaded areas, extra bins, and another toilet.
Some locals took issue with the news that projects such as rubbish tip signage were going to take 3-5 years, while others were to be assessed in the next 10 years.
Frameworks have already been rolled-out in Wallangarra, Maryvale, and Leyburn, with the Dalveen draft adopted in May last year.
The community is currently being consulted for the Killarney UDF.
