The town of Bingara on the Gwydir River is to be the first in the region to undertake a “transition town” community project. The Community Economic Development Plan is part of a program supported by the NSW Department of Industry & Investment.
The project will involve a whole of community assessment to identify, categorize and report on the resources, assets, and approaches required for that community to prepare itself, and take advantage of change over the next fifteen years. The Gwydir Shire Council and the local progress association, Bingara and District VISION 20/20, successfully secured grant money from the D I&I to implement the project.
“This is an opportunity for our community to review and up-date the “community vision” that we undertook five years ago soon after the formation of Gwydir Shire,” said V2020 President, Frances Young. “We prepared for the project by co-hosting, with GSC, the regional “Our Place”- Country Living 2025 Forum, in February this year. The knowledge gained from that Forum, along with previous community surveys, will provide the starting point for our CEDP.” She said.
Former Bingara businessman, Rick Hutton, has accepted the role of co-ordinator for the project. “My job will be to organize the activities that will be involved in gathering the information required for the CEDP and then compiling a report.” Rick said.
The CEDP is open for input from the whole community. It will become part of the up-dated “community vision” through to 2025, and be available for GSC to include in its community strategic plan.
For more information or to request details for a submission, contact Rick Hutton at PO Box 120, Bingara or phone 0428 255 380.
Submitted by Rick Hutton – Secretary – Bingara and District Vision 20/20
