Street appeal: petition to put Templar Street plaza back on the table

Consultants contracted by the council presented several options for beautification of Templar Street as part of the CBD Masterplan.

Those options included one-way traffic that would allow a pedestrian "plaza" with more room for outdoor seating and dining.

But councillors voted for an option that retained two-way traffic flow, speaking about the importance of parking in the CBD.

In a letter to the editor, Alister Lockhart OAM says Forbes is missing an opportunity to have an "attractive pedestrian precinct in the middle of town".

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM this week said the council's decision, adopted on a vote of five votes to four, followed two years of discussions open to the community and with the business owners in the area.

"There has been lots of community consultation and it was fairly debated in the chamber," she said.

The adopted option delivers pergola structures, seating, car parking - with a change to nose-in, and trees, Mayor Miller said.

There will be raised paving, and bollards so the street can be closed off for special events.

Councillors added that they would look at how well the design was working two years after the estimated $2.5 million of work was completed.

The Advocate understands that the work required to begin making detailed plans based on the adopted option is underway.

Dr Keith Mullette, one of those who initiated the petition, says copies are available at a number of businesses including the Platypus Gallery on the corner of Lachlan and Templar streets.