This workshop was held on March 7th 2007,  the agenda was as follows:

7.00 Introduction (Mark Ferguson, General Manager, Pittwater Council)

7.10 Presentation of Community Feedback (Lynne Hancock, HBO+EMTB)

7.15 Workshop Discussion of Issues

• In groups, discuss what you see as the major issues affecting the centre. Some of these issues are: land uses, traffic and parking, pedestrian connections, safety and security, heritage, landscape, building type and scale. You may have others!
• Workshop participants should consider the following questions:
  - What do you like most about Newport?
  - What do you like least about Newport?
  - What does Newport need – and where?
  - What are the challenges or impediments to achieving improvements?
• The facilitator will record the discussion.
• If you want to fill in an individual survey form (on the back of the agenda) and hand it in to us, you are very welcome to do so. You can decide if you want to answer all the questions or only the ones that are of most interest to you.

7.55 Desired Future Charachter

• In groups, discuss what you would like the commercial centre to be in the future. This can take the form of a ‘vision statement’ which sums up the character of the centre, for example “In 20 years’ time Newport will be/have…”
• Please record your own vision statement. Only one statement per person per post-it note!
• Please have the group facilitator stick all the vision statements on a large sheet of paper
• We will collect the statements and record them all

8.25 Conclusion and Thhanks

Recording of Responces

• In groups
  Over 60 people attended the meeting. Six groups (a total of 58 people) were formed, each facilitated by Council staff member or consultant. People were asked to identify themselves as business owners, land owners, residents or employees (some of these categories overlap). There were:
  11 Business owners
  33 Land owners
  53 Residents
  2 Employees.
  Each groups worked at its own pace and some covered the key issues more than the desired future character. Different groups had different emphases, but there were many concerns and hopes in common. Below is a broad summary of the workshop outcomes.A full transcript of the recorded comments is available.
• As individuals
  The back of the agenda was designed as an additional survey form, for people who were unable to attend the whole session or who wanted to supply their own written response rather than (or as well as) taking part in a group discussion. These forms were handed in to Council staff and were also included in the assessment of issues and desired future character. 29 forms were received.

Key issues
All groups identified traffic (volume and speed) and the commercial focus (either the retail mix and/or the need for a supermarket). Pedestrian access across Barrenjoey Road, including issues of convenience and safety, was also noted. Some people were concerned about potential overdevelopment while others identified that streamlining the development process would assist revitalisation. Important for some was the lack of activities and spaces for young people. Perhaps most important of all was the desire to maintain and enhance a ‘village’ or ‘community’ character, which was perceived by some to have been diminished over time. The comments below include a review of the individual as well as group responses.

Likes and dislikes
Land uses
The shopping village, the restaurants and cafes, and the mix of services were liked. Gaps in those services were also noted, as was the need to encourage more people to shop in the centre. In particular, a lack of community uses and open spaces was commented on. An arts or cultural focus was one suggestion of something missing that could enliven Newport. Relating to built form, there was a feeling in some groups that boutique retail / smaller shops were preferred to ‘mega’ businesses with large floor plates.

Built form
There was considerable debate about a sustainable and attractive built form that would be suitable for Newport. Many people expressed a desire to retain the current scale of building, while some were happy to see a height increase so long as this was tied to improved amenity in the form of open space. High rise was definitely not preferred. One group commented that part of the village charm was the existing mix of building heights. Some groups went into more detail about detailed design, and there was praise for a renovation of an existing 3 storey building on Barrenjoey Road, of St Michael’s Church as integral to the village character, of the need to step back the top level of buildings to reduce their apparent scale, and generally of a need for improved design quality. Materials were also discussed, with natural materials and finishes including sandstone and timber mentioned as suitable for Newport. Elements that were disliked included rooftop communication devices, building signage creating visual clutter, run-down shopfronts, and the current paving.

Trees and Landscaping
Opinions were mixed about species for the village. In general indigenous rather than exotic species (especially palms) were preferred; planter boxes appeared to be somewhat unpopular; and Barrenjoey Road would benefit from increased street tree planting. More seating – connected with more public spaces in which to sit – was also mentioned as desirable.

Traffic and parking
This was of great importance to many people, particularly in terms of traffic speed. Slowing traffic down as it passed through Newport was seen as critical to linking the two sides of Barrenjoey Road and creating better and safer pedestrian connections between the shops, and from the western side to the beach. There were suggestions for controls that would limit parking times on the main street, to both encourage the use of longer stay parking at the rear of the shopping strip, and to ensure that there was enough movement in and out of parking spaces on Barrenjoey Road to support drivers stopping rather than continuing through. There was seen to be a need to consider vehicle access to the rear of properties. Some discussion about the roles of Coles Parade and Robertson Road arose from a perception that areas favouring pedestrians had more appeal than those that are heavily trafficked.

Pedestrian safety and amenity
The main ‘dislike’ is the current lack of crossing opportunities on Barrenjoey Road, and the perceived danger to pedestrians when they do cross. Foamcrest Avenue and Robertson Road were also mentioned as needing safe places to cross. Different groups had different views about the width of the pavements (some thought they worked well, others thought they should be wider). One group and some individuals noted that there should be continuous and fully accessible footpaths to important facilities like the pool.

Access to the beach
This was seen by all groups as needing improvement, both in terms of the visibility of the beach and the physical connections to it for both vehicles and pedestrians. The beach is not currently operating as a focal point for Newport – it is not obvious that Newport is next to the sea. One group liked the glimpses / views through to the beach from the centre. Accessways or thoroughfares were seen as having the potential to contribute to the vibrancy of the village – they are not seen as doing this at all now.

Arcades and seating spaces
Many people felt that there was significant room for improvement in the form and quality of Newport’s arcades. ‘Blind’ or dead end arcades specifically received negative comment from four of the groups. They were seen as lacking amenity and attractiveness. Graffiti was also seen to be a problem arising from lack of use of these spaces. While more seating was desired, it was not seen to be suitable in these spaces.

Other issues
Most of these comments relate to the existing visual character of the village. Particular dislikes include vacant land, telecommunications infrastructure, garbage bins on the main road and in arcades, the lack of public toilets, a dearth of useable open spaces, and the lack of use of Newport’s great asset – the beach.

Needs and challenges
Many positive suggestions were made in this part of the workshop. They cover land uses, built form, social and cultural activities, and the open space and pedestrian network. Some suggestions imply the need for process as well as outcomes.
The main challenges are similar to the issues identified: traffic, flooding, retaining a sustainable mix of uses, providing incentives for high quality development, creating a ‘heart’ for the village, enhancing the vibrancy and useability of the ‘main street’ along a busy main traffic road. The needs included:

• Locate and develop a plaza or pocket park to provide a central focus for the village
• Provide more facilities for young people (eg skateboard ramp, bowling alley)
• Encourage a small supermarket
• Provide a community centre / library
• Create incentives for landlords / developers / business owners
• Upgrade links between the commercial centre and the beach
• Enhance the Surf Life Saving Club with a wider mix of uses
• Enhance the beach promenade experience – for example beautify the area with a boardwalk
• More efficient use of the beachside car park
• Prohibit a service station use in the centre of the village

 
A vision for Newport
Many inspiring individual vision statements were recorded (in text and drawings). The overall ‘tone’ of the comments is summarised by this one: “Newport village should be a place that can be of the centre of our lives”. Below is a sample – there are many more we could have chosen. All of the statements will be considered in drafting, for community feedback, an overall vision statement and character strategies for Newport Village Commercial Centre.

[In 20 years’ time, Newport will be…]

… a unique village with a relationship to the beach and plateau behind, that has a good mix of businesses to provide for local residents and tourists, pedestrian connectivity, and opportunities for al fresco dining.

… pedestrian friendly with multiple linkages to facilities, and have a village atmosphere reflecting the beachside character, facilities for social interaction for all ages, and central commercial activity to attract people to the centre.

… a place to stop, shop, eat, linger and enjoy.

… a vibrant village where citizens can shop locally, feel safe and feel proud of a caring community.

… a family orientated community minded village with links from north to south and east to west, which will make it easier for all people to shop eat and enjoy this wonderful natural environment

… thriving and unique, with a real village feel to the centre and more beach access.

… a compact, well planned village … linking east and west

… a place with a beautiful board walk from headland to pool with seats along the walk, interesting shops with easy access from beach area to community centre, vibrant supermarket, residents step out for night dinning and day time coffee shops

… somewhere where I will know all my community and enjoy wandering to the beach and informing visitors and locals about our history. Waving to those in buildings above. For visitors to say they love Newport style. A sea side village to love walking around, sitting and chatting, know what’s going on in the future and past. A promenade from oval to beach at night and the place to be – a cultural experience for all that visit with sandy feet.

… a place with more shops and facilities