The community is divided over the Fitzroy St mall-like upgrade in Tamworth’s CBD.
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Tamworth Regional Council’s $4.5m project aims to create a friendlier pedestrian experience, with paving from wall to wall and no curb and guttering. The adjacent section of Bicentennial Park will also get a facelift.
A poll by The Leader, in which more than 600 people took part in, showed the factions were equally split – half voting “It’s going to be great, just what Tamworth needs” and the other half voting “It was fine the way it was, Tamworth doesn’t need it”.
The common concerns included the loss of some the street’s car parks and amount of money being spent, which many say could be better spent elsewhere. Some also question the decision, given other malls, such as the one in Armidale, have struggled in recent years.
Those against the project took to The Leader’s Facebook page to make their feelings known.
Alex McKnight said the mall would work if there were shops and restaurants on the street.
“All that’s here is a loading dock for Target and brick walls,” Mr Knight said.
But the feedback wasn’t all negative.
Penelope Milson said she loved the upgrade which would “create another nice place for people to socialise”.
“This part of the CBD is very tired so a facelift is a great idea,” Ms Milson said.
Shane Turner agreed with Ms Milson and said “people need to stop complaining”.
“As a growing town, it’s important the council implements projects like this to keep the town vibrant,” Mr Turner said.
“It’s the same as a business – if a business doesn’t regularly upgrade or make changes people lose interest. I think it's a great way to rejuvenate an area of the CBD that is currently under-used.”