$50,000 grant for Dungog: have your say on how it should be spent

Dungog Shire Council has been granted $50,000 to improve the town centre and wants residents to share their ideas for the space. 

JOC Consulting has been appointed to coordinate the project. Dungog is one of 20 towns and their small businesses across the state to receive financial support to become digitally-ready and innovative.

Projects in similar towns have included such things as improved town entrances, signage and lighting, street furniture and trees in the main street.

The initiative, called Future Towns program, is a state-government plan to deliver strategic investments to secure the economic future of regional NSW. 

While the funding will focus on improving Dowling Street, it will also include surrounding areas such as the James Theatre, the railway station, the library and nearby parks and open space.

Funded by the NSW State Government, the Future Towns Program aims to deliver strategic improvements and investments to secure the economic future of regional NSW. 

Dungog is one of 20 towns and their small businesses across the state to receive financial support. The Program recognises the importance of active and engaging town centres in supporting economic growth, talent retention and drawing new business to the community.

“The team from JOC Consulting will be using community feedback to help prepare a draft   strategy and deliver a place activation demonstration project at the Visitor Information Centre,” Dungog Mayor Tracy Norman said

Dungog’s project will include a priority action list, and deliver initiatives to make the town centre and key spaces more active and vibrant. It will also capitalise on the current NBN rollout in Dungog and investigate wi-fi opportunities.

Jenny Lewis, President of Dungog District Chamber of Commerce said “community input is valuable to the success of this project”.

“It is critical we hear from as many local businesses, organisations and individuals as possible, and get a range of ideas and suggestions,” she said.

“That will then allow JOC Consulting to prepare a strategy that truly reflects local aspirations.”

The upcoming consultation will occur in Dungog 24-26 October when JOC Consulting will visit Dungog for three days, and will have a pop up office in the Dungog Festival office at 224 Dowling Street.

A place making ‘walk-shop’ will be held on Tuesday afternoon, 24 October and a place making demonstration workshop will be held at the Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday afternoon, 25 October.

The project is to be completed by the end of the year.

The upcoming consultation will occur in Dungog from October 24-26 when JOC Consulting will visit Dungog for three days, and will have a pop up office in the Dungog Festival office at 224 Dowling Street. 

A place making ‘walk-shop’ will be held on Tuesday afternoon, 24 October and a place making demonstration workshop will be held at the Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday afternoon, 25 October.

For more information please contact Ivan Skaines, Dungog Shire Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator on 4995 7777 or 0428 258 464.

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