Councillors have chosen to keep Templar Street open to two-way traffic and maximise parking.
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The need for parking and the desire to create a safe, pleasant space in the town centre for families to spend time was debated at length in the chambers on Thursday.
Councillor Chris Roylance led the argument for ensuring businesses had parking at their front door, citing his own business experience.
Cr Michelle Herbert cast her vote for the two-way street, saying she had listened to the community throughout consultation and nobody wanted to see parking reduced.
Not everyone agreed.
Cr Steve Karaitiana said he knew he'd spend more time down town with his young son down town in some of the other options outlined by consultants after months of work. Some of those created more of a plaza space with one-way traffic.
"We're missing a great opportunity," Cr Graeme Miller said, to give the Forbes CBD "wow factor".
Cr Susan Chau added that pedestrian safety had to be a priority if families with young children were to spend time there.
Consultants have estimated the cost for the plan at $2.557 million.
What's included:
Nose-in angle parking with wheel stops for each parking bay;
Raised pavement from the laneways to Rankin Street;
Feature planting at the entrances from Rankin and Lachlan streets;
Pergola structures, part-roofed, part vine covered, with seating under;
Street lights;
Lower ground cover planting within the kerbs;
27 trees within the medians - retaining eight existing trees.
The Templar Street plan will now be incorporated in the CBD Masterplan, adopted last year, and tenders called to prepare construction plans for Stage 1.
Stage 1 includes the approaches to the CBD and grant funded works in Rankin Street as well Templar Street.
The council has a $573,000 Stronger Country Communities grant for work in Templar Street including the trees, irrigation, line marking, concrete base and pavers, bollards and seating.
It will also see the installation of a drinking fountain, donated sculpture, planter box, play equipment and soft fall.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack also announced $876,000 from the Building Better Regions fund for Rankin Street, the Target corner and the northern gateway.
