IN AUGUST, Kempsey Shire Council completed improvements to the basketball court and adjoining area in Queen St, South Kempsey.
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The work included new line marking on the basketball court, a new backboard and hoop and the installation of a picnic table, shelter and additional seating.
The work came about as a direct result of the South Kempsey One Community One Mob plan (the 'One Mob Plan').
In response to the Federal Government's 'Closing the Gap' initiative, funding was made available in 2012 to prepare an urban design and social plan for South Kempsey. The result was a landmark social planning and urban design document.
The One Mob Plan was developed by a group including Kempsey Shire Council, the then Department of Family and Community Services, the Indigenous Coordination Centre, the Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council, Housing NSW, the Dunghutti Aboriginal Leadership Management Alliance, and a resident and member of the South Kempsey Community.
In addition to containing a number of specific recommendations, the One Mob Plan contains themes that have informed the Local Strategic Planning Statement and Character Statements for South Kempsey.
Council's planning staff recently completed an informal review of the plan, including three consultation sessions in South Kempsey and also evaluated council's progress in delivering on those projects and actions in their area of responsibility.
Last week, council adopted the report which found that there has been reasonable progress in implementing the plan and it remains fit-for-purpose. This was affirmed through the engagement sessions where residents expressed a desire for council to continue to deliver the projects and actions outlined in the One Mob Plan that remain outstanding.
The plan proposes 34 projects, with council responsible for or having a partial role in 29 of these.
This includes the work done in Queen St Park. A majority of these are either complete, partially complete or ongoing.
To further progress the One Mob Plan, the review recommended that council:
Continue to deliver improvements to Queen St Park.
Develop a master plan for Jim Stirling Oval.
Investigate a swimming area and kayak launch area on the southern bank of the river at South Kempsey.
Undertake a review of bus stops in South Kempsey.
Develop a Transport and Movement Strategy for South Kempsey.
Finally, the review process revealed that the One Mob Plan has resulted in measurable improvements in the provision of community infrastructure and services in South Kempsey.
