BLACKTOWN AUSTRALIA’S FIRST CLD? Why not, says community

„ SASWATI MUKHERJEE

BLACKTOWN could well emerge as Australia’s’ first Central Living District (CLD) in the not-so-distant future, provided the community is able to convince the authorities of its feasibility.

A new movement has emerged in Blacktown with the aim of developing a think tank for ideas for the future development of Blacktown and in particular its CBD.

Stephen Bali MP (Blacktown), under whose leadership community members are getting together to express their opinion on redesigning Blacktown as a model place, believes that Central Living Districts as opposed to Central Business Districts is the way forward for Blacktown.

On March 31, more than 60 stakeholders, from different walks of life, attended a workshop at the ACU campus in Blacktown to brainstorm ideas for shaping Blacktown’s future.

“Let’s start creating a new place, something which is profitable for everyone,” Mr Bali said.

The need for a town square came up in a big way at the discussion, a place for people to gather either in small groups or in large numbers to celebrate major festivals.

Entertainment was identified as an essential element for a future CLD. The creation of a safe and connected environment, also came up as key factors for the new place.

“The traditional view of Central Business Districts (CBDs) with mega sized commercial buildings, hotels, shopping centres with little green space and some tokenistic Aboriginal artwork scattered around is not what the public wants,” said Mr Bali MP.

At the workshop, there were concerns that public views were not being effectively considered or that civic leaders and landowners were presenting already drawn-up plans for a feedback-only involvement from the community.

“A case in point is the recent sale of the Blacktown Council Civic Centre and surrounding lands to Walker Corporation. Here, approximately 45 acres of land is now substantially owned by four organisations, who can potentially create their own vision of what people may or may not want,’ said Mr Bali MP in a statement issued by his office.

The recent workshop could certainly be the initiation of a grassroots movement to drive ideas to shape the future Blacktown. Several workshops, seminars, forums and brainstorming sessions in a variety of settings are planned for different locations throughout Blacktown LGA.

If a redesign is on the cards, it might well be with a fair engagement from the local multicultural community. That means more emphasis on leisure, health and safety in an all-inclusive design, an inspirational city for the future generations to live, study, work, and raise families.

If these awareness sessions gain momentum, talk from experts would follow next to gather more expert knowledge on the subject. “The idea is to get people involved, let them have their say in creating a new masterplan for Blacktown,” said Mr Bali MP.

CLD VS CBD: The white businessman factor

CBDs are a concept past their use-by date. The phrase “central business district” was coined by white, male, middle-class planners in Chicago in the 1930s and 40s, based on the notion that cities work most efficiently when different groups work, live and play in different precincts. CBDs were designed to be used by white, middle-class businessmen, 9-5, Monday to Friday. They were never really designed to include anyone else. (Source: Rob Stokes’ column in The Sydney Morning Herald)

The need of the hour is CLDs (Central Living District), places designed for the people and in consultation with them. An ideal CLD is a safe environment full with amenities needed for a sizeable population to live and thrive socially, economically and emotionally.