By early 2022 Pambula will have a community and business driven plan that will guide it for the next five to 10 years.
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The plan will be formulated following an evening of discussion between Pambula Business Chamber members, community representives, previous mayor Russell Fitzpatrick and council's director community and environment, Alice Howe, facilitated by Jo Kelly director of People, Place and Partnership.
Attendees were asked what Pambula represented for them, what was good about the town and what needed attention as well as being asked to look at events, both exisiting and those that might be on a wish list.
The was an overwhelming feeling that the community and the town were very connected, with the town providing a gateway to many attractions, such as beaches, wetlands and national parks.
The development of the art trail was considered a positive with another six murals still to go up.
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Another theme was the main street with its independent shops and strong artisan feel, raising questions of how to resist the franchises and the labels, if they decided to try and move in.
Car parking, the state of some roads, particularly Merimbola St and the slope on Toalla St were raised.
Dr Howe explained that council had no money to seal the dirt areas of the car park to the west of Merimbola St, or to do upgrade work at Merimbola St. There was a design for Toalla St work and council would look for grant opportunities so that the work could be done, Dr Howe told the meeting.
Dr Howe also said that the impact of Mitre 10 in Pambula with respect to colour and its parking were still "live issues" that were being followed up.
Housing growth would be driven by developments in South Pambula which meant there needed to be a way of connecting the two areas for pedestrians. There is already a link from Panboola to Oaklands but this would need to be extended and was something council was looking at, Dr Howe said.
There was talk of how to activate the town in the evenings maybe through highlighting local dining experiences and also including the Pambula goldfields stories as part of the colonial history trail.
Aboriginal history and involvement were strongly endorsed by a number of people along with greater accessibility in shops and along the pavements. The idea of a music or children's festival was also popular.
Ms Kelly said a strategic plan would be produced for the chamber highlighting what they could achieve themselves, with partners, and by advocating to state and federal governments.