High streets throughout NSW will be revitalised with more than $15 million in grants to boost local business, support jobs and create better public spaces for the community.
The NSW Government’s Your High Street program will provide 19 councils with up to $1 million to help them deliver projects that will permanently transform streetscapes into more liveable, accessible and vibrant public spaces.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the program builds on the success of the Streets as Shared Spaces program, which piloted street transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has helped shift our perception of streets as more than just places to walk or drive. One year on from the lockdown, Your High Street is the second phase of the program which cements the role of our streets as places for people to gather, socialise, dine and do business,” Mr Stokes said. .
“From Penrith to Parkes, councils throughout NSW have answered the call to create more welcoming and attractive main streets for their communities.
“Nineteen councils have been successful in securing funding to transform their high streets, with a total of $8.2 million going to 12 regional councils and $6.9 million awarded to councils in Greater Sydney.”
The regional councils to receive funding are Ballina, Gilgandra, Shoalhaven, Maitland, Parkes, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Hay, Tweed Shire, Moree Plains and Newcastle), and in Greater Sydney, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Randwick, Inner West, Parramatta, Hornsby and Penrith.
Projects receiving funding include:
- Lakemba’s Haldon Street will be transformed with wider footpaths, more seating, extra trees and artwork to create creating a safe, comfortable and attractive space;
- Parramatta’s Philips St will become a “smart” street by revitalising the area with condition-responsive lighting, street furniture with built-in USB ports, smart irrigation, public artwork and lighting;
- Lennox Village Vision will upgrade the streetscape of Lennox Head’s commercial centre by slowing traffic, widening footpaths, adding street lighting and seating which will provide places for people to gather while retaining the village atmosphere;
- Heart of Drummoyne builds upon the Streets as Shared Spaces funding to create new public spaces next to Victoria Road by closing Formosa Street and providing seating, more trees, public art and an outdoor dining space;
- The Mill on Miller St in Gilgandra will link the heart of the town with the natural beauty of the Castlereagh River and Windmill Walk by providing landscaping, a new stage area for events, improved lighting and public art.
All 19 projects are expected to be completed within 12 months. Your High Street follows the success of the $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program launched in 2020.
The Your High Street grant program contributes to the delivery of the Premier’s Priority to increase the proportion of homes in urban areas within a 10-minute walk of quality green, open and public space by 10 per cent by 2023.
For more information visit: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/streets/grants-for-councils