Published on Monday, 19 April 2010 at 12:00:00 AM
After more than 40 years the town of Tom Price in the Pilbara is set to undergo a facelift, with the Shire of Ashburton announcing it is pushing forward plans to revitalise the town by creating a modern community hub which is attractive, vibrant, accessible and paves the way for future tourism opportunities in the town. This comes after the Shire of Ashburton secured a grant of $10 million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program – with the money earmarked to renovate the Tom Price Town Centre.
Tom Price is a remote town located 340 kilometers south of Karratha and 275 kilometers west of Newman near Karijini National Park.
Since December 2009, the Town Centre Revitalisation Project Manager Justine Hyams, in conjunction with TPG Planning and Urban Design and Creating Communities have been in consultation with the community. Local stakeholders, Indigenous leaders and community members have been extensively consulted on ways to revitalise the town and modernise the central shopping precinct.
A number of recurring themes were noted during these meetings. Particularly the lack of quality infrastructure and appropriate community facilities, the unattractive and ‘tired’ town centre and the poorly executed parking facilities for cars and buses.
After months of consultation, project managers and consultants who were involved in the project, came together on April 14 and held a Community Open Day in the Tom Price Mall to display the concept plans for the Town Centre Revitalisation. Creating Communities managing director Donna Shepherd said 202 people came to speak to them on the day. “It was a great turnout and the response was very positive with 99% of people happy with the proposals “.
Proposed plans included making the Tom Price Mall and surrounds more aesthetically pleasing by incorporating a water play area, shaded alfresco areas, informal seating, cooling mist sprays and improving trolley return bays and loading zones. Vast amounts of black asphalt will be replaced with shaded grassed banks, mature trees and permanent shade structures. Other plans to revitalise the town include modifications to the road system and car parks, new streetscaping, improved community facilities and more trees and shading within the town centre and carparks. The key feature of the final phase of the project will be a landscaped amphitheatre in the centre of town which will accommodate 300-400 people and provide a staging area for events and performances of various sizes. A large LCD screen will replace the current drive-in, and provide screening capabilities both day and night.
Ms Hyams anticipates that the area will host family and community events such as school graduations and performances, touring performers and screenings of sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup, AFL & ARU Grand Finals and other major sporting events.
“It will be a very lively and active hub for the community to meet; both spontaneously, and at planned events.”
“We expect it to be a very busy place that puts Tom Price on the map for tourists and performers alike.”
Additionally, a new sports pavilion is planned to replace the current pavilion, which is dilapidated and poorly positioned. This facility will house a home and away team on game days in separate changeroom facilities, provide excellent spectator seating, and incorporate catering and entertainment venues which will be available for functions and meetings.
Ms Hyams said the team would now collate the community information they had received and refine the concept plan into a development plan to be launched in conjunction with the Minister for Regional Development & Lands, Mr. Brendon Grylls at a community event in Tom Price on June 30.
Shire President, Cr Greg Musgrave, said the revitalisation project served as a catalyst to change the current look of the town.
“Royalties for Regions funding provides us with a fantastic foundation to move forward and leverage funding from private investors.”
“This project has been ten years in the making and it’s well overdue.”
Cr Musgrave said response from community had been fantastic and demonstrated how urgently the town centre needed to be changed.
“It is hoped the project will lead the way forward for future development opportunities, including additional recreational and childcare facilities and more residential property,” he said.
Creating Communities business manager Carole Lambert consulting with community members
MEDIA CONTACTS
Shire of Ashburton President Cr Greg Musgrave –0417 080 037
Creating Communities Business Manager Carole Lambert - 9284 0910
Shire of Ashburton Project Manager Justine Hyams – 0419 907 300
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