Open Streets Program set to bring vibrant activations to the Shire
Published on 12 July 2024
Bellingen Shire Council has received $150,000 under the Vibrant Streets Package – Open Streets Program, to temporarily close streets to vehicles for a day and open them to people with placemaking activations in Urunga, Dorrigo and Bellingen.
The Open Streets Program -- delivered by Transport for NSW -- aims to inject vibrancy into streets across NSW and help create thriving local places that support businesses, creative sectors, and the community through events and activations.
Bellingen Shire Council has partnered with local event organisers to bring this exciting opportunity to life in our community. The Shire will see three events take place in 2024, including a brand new one-day festival called "Urunga Fiesta'' to be held in September. In addition, a street parade and food producers’ festival in Bellingen will take place as part of the annual Taranta Festival in November, as well as a Dorrigo Night Market as part of this year's Christmas market in December. Each of these events will feature local creators, artists and performers along with a variety of activities for locals to take part in.
Bellingen Shire Mayor Cr. Steve Allan says:
''Our streets are key public spaces that play a critical role not only for transportation, but in supporting local businesses, community connection and physical and mental well-being. We are also a community of creatives and entrepreneurs in a region that is known for its events and festivals and its character and charm.
“After a few years of disruption to our local events and festivals, the Open Streets Program funding was a no-brainer for Council, and we are very proud to have worked closely with local businesses and the three Chambers of Commerce to bring this program to life across our townships.''
Local Urunga event organiser, Lauren Mills, adds:
''We are excited to bring Urunga Spring Fiesta to our town for the first time this September. A free street festival celebrating our community's diverse tapestry of talent and social interests, with live music, dance performances and fun activities for all ages and tastes, showcasing our special coastal town to the region.
''We will shine a spotlight on local businesses and community groups, offering opportunities to run an activity, have a stall, perform or volunteer with the festival.''
Minister for Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:
“We’re excited to support these events in Urunga, Dorrigo and Bellingen.
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure. Great streets make great towns and centres and reflect the local community and culture.
“The Open Streets program is about temporarily transforming our main streets into vibrant and welcoming public event spaces.
“The colour and diversity of these 130 events celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb. This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community.”
The Program is part of the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Package, a $19.7 million investment that will help transform our streets into more vibrant public spaces, with creative and cultural activations in the short term, and the trial of place management strategies to support sustainable activation in the long term.
If you're a local business, community group, food producer or want to volunteer, you can find out more about how to get involved by contacting your local event organiser:
Proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Bellingen Shire Council.
Program website: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/openstreets
Transport for NSW is the lead agency delivering the Open Streets Program.