"Advancing Economic Growth and Community Connectivity in Urunga CBD"
The Urunga CBD Upgrade Project will enable transformative upgrades to Urunga’s central business district, enhancing its appeal for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The upgrade aims to enhance the well-being of the local community, attract more visitors, and support local businesses. The project also includes to improve accessibility for individuals with mobility issues and wheelchair users, aligning with inclusivity goals. The project has now received $6.5M of funding and is scheduled for delivery across the 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026 /2027 financial years.
What makes Urunga Unique
When comparing Urunga to nearby regional coastal towns, Urunga’s unique position and character becomes more evident. Urunga has a smaller population, helping characterise it as a quieter, coastal town. While other towns are known for surfing beaches and fishing, Urunga is unique with its more protected water recreation opportunities and the environmental character of the wetlands and lagoons. Overall, there is high level of environmental amenity, natural assets and nature-based experiences.
Although Urunga no longer benefits from incidental tourism after the Pacific Highway bypass, Urunga’s environmental and recreational character provides a solid basis upon which to build a popular visitor and stopover location. Urunga is a welcoming riverside town with a diverse recreational offering for all ages: the protected lagoon creates a safe water recreational area for young families and older populations alike; the rivers provide opportunities for river-based activities, while the foreshore provides gentle walking trails along the foreshore and across the Boardwalks.
Urunga is strategically positioned to be a well-known water recreational destination for all ages and interests.
Vision
The project, which aligns with the Urunga CBD Masterplan developed through extensive community consultation in 2024, will deliver comprehensive infrastructure improvements, including upgraded pedestrian pathways, public spaces, and foreshore connections.
These upgrades will create safer, more accessible, and vibrant community spaces, while strengthening connections to key public assets such as the Library and Museum.
Business & Tourism Enhancement: The planned improvements will support local businesses and tourism by improving streetscape and amenity. The project aligns with our vision of a creative, connected and sustainable community and we are excited to see it come to life
Enhancing Accessibility: Providing equal opportunities for everyone to enjoy Urunga. By upgrading footpaths and connectivity we aim to improve accessibility, ensuring that individuals with mobility issues or those requiring assistance, including wheelchair users, can easily navigate and experience the Urunga. This aligns with our commitment to inclusivity and the objectives outlined in the Inclusive Tourism Strategy and Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
Community Well-being: A safe and accessible place. The project seeks to address improvements to lighting, continuous, safe and accessible footpaths. Again, more options for parking for people with disability, use of mobility devices and vehicles.
Activating streets and events: The project will see streets activated with shaded outdoor dining, seating, encouraging festivals and events, markets and other activities. Improving key streets and exploring options to facilitate more safe and attractive places for people that can encourage every-day and event activation.
Community Engagement
The CBD Master Plans have been developed in close collaboration with the community in order to best understand local issues and identify potential opportunities. More detail on the surveys, workshops and stakeholder meetings can be found in the Urunga CBD Masterplan (link)(PDF, 22MB) .
Funding
The project has now received $1.1M from the NSW Governments Stronger Country Community Fund as well as $5.26 million in funding from the Federal Government's Growing Regions Program, Bellingen Shire Council is also contributing with $300,000 in a co-contribution. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Approvals & Consultation
Collaboration with key stakeholders is pivotal to our success. That engagement will be progressed throughout 2025. An REF (Review of Environmental Factors) will be prepared to determine the approval pathway for the project and appropriate environmental considerations.