Support for community CBD vision

THE idea of having a Community Living District (CLD) for the central Blacktown business district is gathering momentum.

Local discussion sessions are being held throu8ghout the LGA by youth groups, multicultural and community organisations.

More than 500 people and organisations are now calling for community consultation to construct a vision for Blacktown CLD.

Stephen Bali MP, State Member for Blacktown said: “People want a vision for Blacktown that encompasses a friendly, safe, vibrant, and accessible CLD. Liveability is the key for the success of a CLD. Jobs, entertainment, environment and accessibility all need to be seen as a holistic construct rather than being dealt with as individual silos.”

Mr Bali said 45 acres of Blacktown CBD land is owned by four significant land holders.

“We need everyone to work together with the community, to build the city of the future, today,” he said.

Feedback has been particularly strong regarding a town square concept to address parking issues in the CBD.

A town square allows for the community to come together to celebrate significant cultural and religious events, he said

Blacktown’s proposed redevelopment may put in doubt the possibility of having the City Festival and street parades in the CBD that have attracted tens of thousands of people into the CBD over the past five decades.

The 45 acres of prime land creates the opportunity to have a town square and significant underground parking - effectively eliminating the need for above ground parking.

“Imagine where you can easily park underground and pop up to walkways allowing for ease of access, exercise opportunities and parades rather than traffic chaos,” Mr Bali said.

The town square can be planned to allow up to 10,000 people to easily gather. Current outdoor festivals have created both traffic chaos and uncomfortably crammed events across Sydney with little access to public transport, he said.

Renowned for our festivals

Recently, Liverpool council held the Motherland African Festival over three nights in Macquarie Mall. While the event was a great success attracting thou- sands of people, it was difficult to find parking and people were packed into a mall 25m wide by 230m long

The Ramadan Nights Festival over 30 nights, finishing 3am each night, saw tens of thousands of people descend on Lakemba and once again be crammed into a small space with extreme difficultly to find parking.

Most major cities across Europe are known for their Christmas markets held in their town squares. Stalls, activities, and stage acts all bring thousands of people into the town centre for a wonderful celebration.

Blacktown City is renowned for the many Filipino, Subcontinental and European festivals. Blacktown showground is often a transport gridlock with festivals. A properly designed CLD can accommodate and support the infrastructure to make festivals a success and Blacktown becoming a tourist destination.

Parramatta Council has been seeking feedback on its car parking strategy given that it is difficult to find parking with high-rise developments being developed in the CBD.

Mr Bali said: “Wouldn’t it be good if we had a vision for our CLD, supported by knowing how many people will be working, living or being entertained in the area and then have a realistic transport plan to match those needs.

“Imagine a Blacktown CLD that is designed to have a town square; significant underground parking to accommodate thousands of cars; tall commercial buildings spaced around the 45 acres to allow for ticket tape parades. We can truly have a liveable 24/7 city that is home to festivals, jobs, all in a safe environment.

“All we need is for the four key landowners to work together as well as bring the people on board from the beginning and Blacktown will become a truly world class festival destination.

“I hope we can have some cooperation, vision, transparency, and discussion with the community. It is amazing what you can learn by talking to local people.”