**Artist’s impression of the Ann Street hub.**

by Janine Hill

THE Nambour (Namba) Place Plan has arrived on most local business operators like a surprise birthday present: unexpected, not what they really wanted, but better than nothing.

The plan, released on 23 August, focuses on the Howard and Currie Street intersection, and Bury, Mill and Ann Streets.

The council media release which announced it spoke about greener streets, shade, art installations and wider pathways. But there was no mention of what businesses in Nambour have repeatedly asked for – more parking.

Trees in the concept drawings make it difficult to see how much will remain of existing street-side parking spaces.

The Gazette approached a number of small business operators in the centre of Nambour to seek their opinions on the plan.

None of them had been aware the plan had been in the making and some did not know it existed while others were disillusioned after years of wheel-spinning by authorities to care.

“I’ve been here for 20 years and there’s been so much talk and (yet) nothing but it’s good to see young ones getting in there and giving their opinion,” said one business owner.

Another preferred not to get involved after having seen lofty council ideas achieve little for business elsewhere.

However, he did suggest that “given the way some of them come around corners,” traffic calming would be in order if the council wanted to proceed with planting trees, as per the plan.

Lee Hillman, of Backbeat Records in Howard Street, was pleased to see some move towards reviving Nambour but queried the council’s priorities.

“I think anything’s good at the moment but if they’ve got money for that, surely they’ve got the money for parking,” he said.

Mr Hillman questioned the provision of street seating and outdoor dining when Nambour lacked shows and restaurants to attract people.

“I’m for it but it’s probably putting the cart before the horse. There’s got to be a reason for people to sit around,” he said.

Vicki Arthur, of Mr Beesley’s vintage clothing store in Howard Street, learned of the plan when council officers dropped off some flyers the day after its release.

Ms Arthur was disappointed the plan did not include centre or extra parking on Currie Street and was confused about the attention paid to Bury Street given the council had relocated its headquarters to Maroochydore, pulling workers out of town.

She was also bemused by the forecourt upgrade. “Haven’t they already done up there?”

Ms Arthur said Nambour had a theme when the old sugar mill was in town but there was confusion about whether it should make the most of its heritage or imitate Melbourne’s street scene and the plan did nothing to cement a direction.

“We need to have a conversation. We need to have a vote,” she said.

Paul Vicary, of Queen Street Meats, who traded through an upgrade of that street some years ago, did not feel that losing a number of parking spaces for trees and a wider footpath had achieved very much.

“Do we really need a 4 metre wide footpath? You go to the city, the CBD, and they don’t have footpaths that wide,” he said.

Paul felt centre parking in Currie Street would be of more benefit to local businesses than wider footpaths and more trees.

Paul warned other businesses to beware of the disruption that was likely to occur while work was carried out.

He said Queen Street business owners had not known from one day to the next if the street would be open or closed for work and what was supposed to have been three months’ work had dragged on for about a year.

Nambour Plan key changes:

• Bury Street will be one-way between Mill Lane and Currie Streets and will become a “shared zone”;

• Left and right hand turning lanes at Mill and Currie Streets will be removed;

• A new raised and signalised pedestrian crossing on Currie Street just north of Mill Street;

• A raised and signalised “scramble crossing” to replace the three separate crossings at the Ann and Low Street intersection;

• A raised crossing from the corner of Sydney and Howard Streets to Ann Street;

• The Ann Street roadway will be narrowed to allow for a wider footpath, al fresco dining, extra seating, raised planters, a water feature and art work;

• An upgrade to the council building forecourt.

Sunshine Coast Council response:

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the Nambour (Namba) Place Plan aimed to inform the community of the draft concept design and seek their feedback in order for Council and the community to develop a shared outcome.

“Following community feedback in September 2023, the draft plan will be revised and adjusted to determine the final design. Key stakeholders, businesses, residents, Frist Nations and community groups will then have an opportunity to provide further feedback before the plan is confirmed,” the spokesperson said.

“The Place Plan builds on the various planning documents that have been developed over the past 10 years. These include the Nambour Activation Plan, and the Nambour Economic Transition Strategy produced by Reimagine Nambour.

“During the early planning phase, Council invited feedback from representative residents, community groups, businesses, the local First Nations community and key stakeholders to inform the development of the Draft Nambour (Namba) Place Plan.

“Council’s aim is to ensure all previous engagement and work achieved is acknowledged and honoured in this next phase of engagement while also seeking input from new families and people moving to Nambour.

“This phase of engagement has re-introduced the project, and the draft plans, to allow the broader community to shape their town centre.”

For a list of past engagement please visit Council’s Have Your Say website and select the ‘Previous Engagement’ tab: https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/nambour-place-plan/engagement

Parking

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the feedback Council had received from community stakeholders to date was that some removal of on-street car parks will go a long way to improve the look, feel and function of the main streets and provided economic benefits to traders.

“The draft plan also provides better pathway connections to the existing off street parking lots in the centre of town, making them more accessible and convenient use,” the spokesperson said.

“Due to the project being in the early planning stage, parking management will be considered in the next round of community engagement as the design is refined. This is a great opportunity for our community to share their feedback and concerns around parking with the project team and discuss alternative options.

“Council is also working with Queensland Government through the Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding the future of the centre’s traffic network and getting the balance right between promoting walkability and pedestrian safety along the main street while still maintaining traffic flow.”