16/12/2016

Eurobodalla Shire Council

Batemans Bay Visioning Workshop Report

Company Name

Project Name

KJA 2

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary 3

2. Engagement Approach 4

3. Workshop Outcomes 5

1.1 Values Discussion 5

1.2 Visioning Challenge 9

1.3 Supporting the vision 13

4. Appendices 17

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1. Executive Summary On Thursday 1st December 2016, as part of a broader process of stakeholder and community engagement on a Batemans Bay Vision and Growth project, Eurobodalla Shire Council hosted a workshop with local business owners, land owners and community members to commence the development of a shared vision for the area and identify the ways in which this vision can be realised. The workshop, which was facilitated by engagement consultants, KJA, included the following three sessions:

Out of the workshop, the following key values were identified:

The following key vision statements then emerged from these shared values:

Finally, potential roles and responsibilities were recommended for Council, Government, the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses (incl. tourism services and accommodation providers), private companies (incl. developers), not-for-profits, schools, social and interest groups (incl. arts groups) and the broader community in helping realise these visions. These ideas and concepts will be presented to the broader community to refine the vision ahead of endorsement by Council.

Values discussion

•Participants shared experiences and anecdotes from their time in Batemans Bay

•Values were identified out of these experiences

Visioning challenge

•Participants proposed vision statements that encapsulated the group's common values

Supporting the vision

•Participants engaged in a whole-group discussion about the role each community stakeholder could play in supporting key visions for Batemans Bay

Water, calm and

exhilarating

People able to

connect

Locally motivated

Unique location,

visual experience

Freedom (free as a

child)

Enduring into the future

Thriving and

diverse

A place that gains inspiration

from water

A connected place with reasons to stay and take it easy

A place that

people want to promote

A place that provides a welcome,

safe, inclusive

environment

A place where the

community takes

responsibility for each

other

A place that takes

advantage of proximity

to other places

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2. Engagement Approach As the principal commercial centre in the Eurobodalla Shire, Batemans Bay represents a key destination for residents and visitors to the area. Everyone in the Bay community, including Council, will play a part in the future success of the area, including in the towns functionality, business activity and visual amenity. In order to plan properly for the future of Batemans Bay, the community must come together to develop a shared vision and identify steps to deliver that vision. In order to achieve this outcome, Eurobodalla Shire Council instigated in late 2016 consultation around a Batemans Bay Vision and Growth project. The stakeholder workshop covered in this report was organised with the purpose of bringing local businesses, land owners, community members and Council together to commence the development of a shared vision. The workshop was informed by issues and ideas previously raised in recent village meetings organised by the Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce. A booklet – attached in the appendices of this report – was issued by Council ahead of the workshop to provide participants with a summary of recently completed, commenced or planned work relating to Batemans Bay town centre, as well as future challenges and opportunities that the area may face. Representatives attended from the following local groups:

• Batemans Bay Town Centre land owners and business operators • Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Batemans Bay Streetscape Sunset Committee • Batemans Bay Mackay Park Sunset Committee • Batemans Bay Indoor Aquatic Centre Committee • Eurobodalla Business Advisory Committee • Eurobodalla Tourism Advisory Committee • Eurobodalla Public Art Advisory Panel • Maloney’s Beach Resident Association • PerFex • South Coast Pastel Society • Batemans Bay U3A • Rotary, Batemans Bay

At the workshop held on Thursday 1st December 2016, these participants were split into small groups – each facilitated by a scribe from Council – to share experiences and anecdotes and identify core values that emerge from those. Common values were then identified by the Workshop Team and fed into the next workshop session, during which participants proposed vision statements that encapsulated these values. Each small group presented their top statements to the wider room. Finally, after six common vision statements were identified by the Workshop Team, participants engaged in a whole-group discussion on the ways in which community stakeholders could contribute to the realisation of each vision. The workshop was facilitated by community engagement staff from communications consultancy, KJA, who have also prepared this report. Additional comments submitted by workshop participants to Council during and following the workshop are included in the appendices of this report. Following the village meetings and this workshop, resulting ideas and concepts will be presented to the broader community to refine the vision ahead of endorsement by both Council and the Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce. This vision will then be used as the basis for encouraging investment and guiding development and management outcomes in the area.

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3. Workshop Outcomes

1.1 Values Discussion

What experiences or anecdotes can you share that demonstrate the things that you take pride in and/or most love and respect about Batemans Bay? Describe in a few words the ‘value’ that sits at the heart of this. Small group responses to these questions are collated and summarised in the table below. The experiences or anecdotes included in the table below are the unique stories and memories of the workshop participants. Some refer to events from a long time ago, while others are more recent. The aim of asking participants to tell their stories about what they most love about Batemans Bay was to see if there are some common shared values about the place that can be used as the starting point for developing a vision for the future of the town. The values that arose from the stories are listed in the right hand column of the table below.

Experiences or anecdotes Value(s) identified

Buying a gift for the women’s refuge and the shop owner gave a gift to add to the purchase – unprompted

People are very supportive of other people’s problems. People want to be involved in the community. The public will assist.

Group members got enormous support in difficult personal times.

Volunteers – value of volunteerism down here, zoo, gardens, Council.

Caring for others, Generosity, An involved and proactive community

Memory as a 10 year old being dropped at the pier (December, 1957) and catching the biggest whiting ever. Unsupervised childhood freedom.

Being on the water – relationship of water to town.

Connection to the land across the water.

We came when we had the ‘ferry’ – pre-bridge. Between Byron Bay and Tathra, there is nothing better than Batemans Bay.

People care about it. Concerned not a vision that values all this. How do we protect this? Water, geography, trees, friendliness of

people.

Freedom, Connection to water and people, Safety, Abundance

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In the 80’s, as a teenager, – the community was tight, got involved, Neptune Festival, Balls. Lots of leaders pushing for things to

happen. We are a village.

Sensation/experience across many events – the sense of inclusion, community expresses its soul, foreshore events Expression of soul, A community with soul

Everybody feels comfortable and at ease

Natural environment of the water and river – the vibe of having the river and the lifestyle it inspires. It’s calming. We could utilise

that for tourism and recreation opportunities.

I like that Batemans Bay has a laid-back atmosphere, it’s friendly and calming.

Being at peace, Calming

Running an event in which children from all backgrounds participate in impromptu collaboration – pavement painting at Malua Bay Surf Club

I remember the old rugby clubhouse – it was a hub for the community, it had a really good family atmosphere, where every one of

all ages was comfortable to join in on celebrations, social events, family events.

Foreshore 60th Bridge celebration – it was great to see the community involvement and community feel – people enjoying the

foreshore. 600 people walked the bridge and 2000 people came for the fireworks. It was a great family friendly event with

entertainment.

Enjoy attending sports events. Everyone would attend.

People would travel to Batemans Bay from other places to go to sports events or just get an ice-cream.

Family, Inter-generational, Collaboration

Moving to the Bay (’90). A sense of vibrancy, people bringing people, it was a place of gathering, going out after work, sharing their lives

After 5 years in business, everyone knows my business

Connected community.

The Bridge – we love it. The natural environment. The view from the Bridge makes us smile and relax.

Fishing is a big driver. Primary industry – tourism experience

Golf club – Catalina club – very flat so good for aged, live music every week.

Sense of experience, Vibrancy, A variety of events, Sustainable

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George Bass Marathon – crowds plus businesses and community and tourists all together. Gets to the nature of our community

celebrating our “Land of Many Waters”. More events like this which celebrate our natural assets.

Fridays on the Foreshore – vibrancy, young people, encapsulated the long summer evenings by the water. Good for arriving in the community

Things would happen in town e.g. the Neptune Festival, there would be floats (similar to what they do for the Ulladulla Blessing of

the Fleet).

Events were about the location, heritage/timber-milling, the water. There were balls, markets on the foreshore. The George Bass

surf boat race makes a spectacular start in Batemans Bay.

Celebration of St John the Baptist, combined with the oyster festival, people would dive in the water.

The Seaside Carnival has been continuing for many years. It is good to have sustainable events that continue from year to year

Friday nights on the waterfront with street stalls, music, markets.

There were lots of community focused events.

There was always lots of young people at the pubs.

There used to be regular live music at the Bowling Club (Angels, My-Sex) and it was pumping.

events, Love of environment

A sense of home

Moving from outside – an instant sense of belonging and welcome

There were country balls (e.g. the axe factory) or dinner dances (oyster farmers) and community focused events. You would know

everyone there. It was good to meet people and feel good.

A community that feels like home, Welcoming community, Ability to thrive here, Opportunities to meet people

70’s – fishing fleet – 9 trawlers, 4 sawmills and forestry/diversified labour ‘hometown’ labour (there was employment for locals –

for around 600 people)

Employment has dried up – used to be local industry and productivity, now we need greater diversity, need to be more

sustainable.

I like that independent businesses can add a point of difference to other towns (rather than chains in the mall).

Local productivity, Diversity

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Driving along the water from Batemans Bay to Batehaven – beautiful drive a location thing, use of this? Protect this? In Byron Bay

no “drive by” exists.

Beautiful views - ‘private vistas’.

Beautiful location, Celebrating our unique location

Went to Noosa – but it wasn’t a better place than Batemans Bay. Returned and stayed in Batemans Bay for pristine environment.

Unique. Lack of transport has protected it.

Opportunity to create something for the future. Waterways not polluted. Taste competition for oysters.

Chance to re-visit our green open space.

Pristine environment

Before the shopping centre (Village Centre) was built traffic flowed reasonably well through the CBD making it easy to get around.

I appreciate the investment in the Plazas (Village Centre and Bridge Plaza), offering convenience, easy access and connectivity with

the CBD.

Convenience

We have loyalty to our town – pride in the fact we have lived here a long time. Community Pride, Loyalty

Workshop participants also identified opportunities and issues for Batemans Bay, including:

Would a Moruya farmers market work in Batemans Bay? Got to be able to get local produce/working/growing/foods to eat at market.

We have an opportunity to do something different with our open space areas, if the flying foxes don’t come back!

Lots of negative talk – no one challenges these people.

We need to be aware that some people don’t like the impact of the busy tourist period on our way of life and that not all businesses see the benefits of the tourist season.

Element of inter-town rivalry.

Need to consider that there are positives and negatives from bringing more people into town.

We need to be protective of how development fits in with the environment – some development does ‘away’ with environment. CBD planning with appropriate restrictions.

There are levels of socio-economic disadvantage - how do we address this?

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The following common values were identified out of this session:

1.2 Visioning Challenge

“Describe a vision for Batemans Bay that supports the values that you have identified.” Small group responses to these questions are collated and summarised in the table below.

Common values Vision statements Additional comments

Water – calm, exhilarating

A place that celebrates the proximity to water.

A place that acknowledges its water foundations.

A place that is a water playground.

A place that connects the various water sites.

A place that continues and encourages connectivity to the marine environment.

Our town takes our inspiration from the water, through use, access and visibility

A place where connections with the water, precincts and people invite you to take it easy.

A CBD that facilitates and celebrates the connection to the water.

People can see clean and healthy living.

Bridge, jetties, foreshore cafes beside promenade, access for

boating on esplanade, land based and water usage, marina,

walkway through mangroves.

Foreshore as the heart of the town, a focal point with connectivity

and easy access from the central business district and/or the

western development area (Mackay Park Precinct) and wetlands.

Creating an attractive foreshore to attract people.

Where there is water the entire community connects with it –

transport, dining, activities, accessible, integral.

Foreshore is successful. Is development connecting with the water

e.g. shop design/interaction with water

Sea level rise

Water, calm and

exhilarating

People able to connect

Locally motivated

Unique location,

visual experience

Freedom, free as a

child

Enduring into the future

Thriving and diverse

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Where everything is accessible within walking distance.

A place where I can walk to the waterfront.

A place where everyone can enjoy views, access water,

see the water.

Café culture (outdoor dining). Be open to this. Is it affordable?

Normal to charge but could the rules be more flexible? Is the

building design of promenade correct – e.g. level of walkway vs.

building floor level?

Entry of bridge is welcoming – new bridge design must account for

welcoming to shire (need to be able to see out from the bridge).

Landscaping on bridge approaches is appropriate, walkways across

river into CBD including north side of Batemans Bay. The green and

open spaces and connections together – Multipurpose places.

People able to connect – to community, intergenerational

A place that encourages people to the CBD.

A place that embraces intergenerational inclusivity in both built and natural environments.

A place that delights, surprises and brings joy.

A place which is welcoming and where safety, accessibility and inclusiveness is the norm.

A place full of activities and life that gives reasons to stay with a central meeting place.

Public open spaces are meaningful and utilised by all.

A place that is liveable for all (age-groups, abilities,

backgrounds).

A place that supports and provides activities for everyone

(e.g. bowling alley, attractions, leisure activities, skating).

A social place.

Walking encouraged, festivals, staggered business hours, improve

public transport.

Giving people a reason to stay. I like the idea of the loop path to

connect precincts and recreation areas.

A place full of activities and life that gives you a reason to stay with

a central meeting point to connect precincts, with convenience – a

place to do a range of things.

We need frequent and accessible transport to get into the CBD

I would like to see green space to connect with the environment

and provide recreation opportunities.

Lighting. Walking as a recreational activity across demographics.

Safe, usable spaces, attractive, accessible, e.g. kids on scooters.

Public spaces: where mothers can meet – benches, playground,

activities

How to create a sense of identity and a reason to go there? Will

street scaping help? – Bring restaurants out, bring green space out

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Locally motivated – business, youth, volunteering

A place that represents the authenticity of its inhabitants.

A place where the design of the built environment connects to the natural environment.

A place that reflects its authenticity in its built representation of community values.

A place that has a sense of pride, a vibrant town centre and is open to initiative.

Celebrates local pride.

The Mackay Park precinct has good development potential,

including for residential development.

Strong Chamber of Commerce – village meetings – workshops

from council for businesses.

Give people reason to be involved.

Shop local movement by a group of local women (currently

happening).

Unique location – visual experience

A place that is girt by sea.

A place that makes the most of its position.

A place that provides a stage for our community life.

A natural environment, access to water and clean waterways.

Where the mountains meet the sea.

Encourage nature based experiences, supported by linkages of

walkways.

Climate is best here. Proximity of everything to the CBD, amazing

places.

Connection over highway - How do we improve connection?

Bridge connection?

Freedom – free as a child

A place where we can place our trust in our community.

A place where freedom is inherent in design.

A place in which the community takes responsibility (for each other, for themselves).

Diversity of activities, fluidity, safe environment and options

A safe place to walk around at any time that is easy to get around.

Continue to provide a safe environment.

A place that feel safe and secure and clean (e.g. clean

and well located toilets).

A place where transport is regular, safe and reliable.

This is still valued. No fence to close us in. Linkage to open space

so kids can play in green spaces without conflict with traffic. More

horticulture re gardens rather than just plain park. Trees alongside

highway.

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Enduring into the future

A place that innovates in the face of the changing world.

A place that displays creative responses to the future.

Sustainability, local enterprise and employment, affordability, adaptable.

A place that feels safe and secure.

A place where things are easy to find and access

(transport, walking, everything nearby).

A place that supports history and culture.

Viable rents, transport access

Cautious re: development – individual buildings don’t spoil it for

the rest of us

Healthy river – maintain clean and green.

Lots of boating activity.

Thriving and diverse – natural assets, people, healthy business

A place that holds happiness as important.

A place that shares its good fortune.

World focus, forward and outward looking, open to diversity and change, opportunities to thrive.

A prosperous place where people want to do business and visit year-round.

A place that has a vibe.

A place that has a late-night economy.

A place that people want to promote (a place that is

‘instagrammable’, with wow factor).

A place with things to do.

A place to be.

We need to bring more people to the foreshore

More employment opportunities and higher incomes would lead

to greater economic prosperity. Due to low incomes people can’t

be as involved in community life and support business as much.

I’d like to see night life and activities, more things to do - especially

for youth (but we need people in the community to support it for

them to survive).

We need to attract more people in the off season, so the

community thrives year-round.

Tourism is key – business good – people healthy.

Diverse: some don’t make living from tourism. We need to also support growth in other industries.

Open to the future, optimistic Centred in the community, looking to the horizon.

Encourage creativity and innovation, art centre, virtual business, global connections

Workshop participants nominated the following top vision statements from, or based on, those included above:

A place that lets the water in and deals with it creatively – “the city in the water”.

A place in which the community takes responsibility (for each other, for themselves).

(With the most amazing location to build a city), it is a place that delights, surprises and brings joy.

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Our town takes inspiration from the water, through use, access and visibility.

A place which is welcoming and where safety, accessibility and inclusiveness is the norm.

A place that has a sense of pride, a vibrant town centre and is open to initiative.

A place where connections with the water, precincts and people invite you to take it easy.

A place full of activities and life that gives reasons to stay with a central meeting place.

A place that effectively interconnects the various precincts.

A CBD that facilitates and celebrates the connection to the water.

Public open spaces are meaningful and utilised by all.

A place that takes advantage of proximity to other places – snow, city, outback.

A place that feels safe and secure and easy to access.

A place that people want to promote (a place that is ‘instagrammable’, with a wow factor).

A place that supports and provides activities for everyone.

1.3 Supporting the vision

What are the steps that the people in this room and others, including community and council, can take to support these proposed vision statements? The above vision statements were collated into the following:

A place that gains

inspiration from water

A connected place with reasons to

stay and take it easy

A place that people want to promote

A place that provides a welcome,

safe, inclusive environment

A place where the

community takes

responsibility for each

other

A place that takes

advantage of proximity to other places

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These statements and the group’s suggestions for supporting each vision are captured in the table below: It is important to note that the suggestions in the table are a starting point only for further consideration and engagement. It is not a comprehensive list of stakeholders or actions that could be undertaken. It is hoped that these suggestions will generate more discussion in the community about what could be done and by who.

Stakeholders Support for vision

A place that gains inspiration from the water

Council Access for fishers to water.

Access for boats from water, such as floating pontoons near CBD.

Marine Parks (NSW Govt) Regulations that facilitate “catch, cook, eat”.

Council / business Physical and visual connections to the water.

Businesses on the foreshore should be open to the water. Council should insist on this.

A connected place with reasons to stay and take it easy

Council Use public art to connect / define areas (visible culture), including heritage and history (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).

Council Physical and visual connections to the water.

Community / business Be welcoming to all.

Council / Community Invite people into the CBD from the highway with murals, flags and signs.

Business / Council Attractions for year-round visitation, e.g. Indoor Aquatic Centre.

Council Provide free Wi-Fi in CBD areas.

Business / Council / Essential Energy Provide “bannercondas” promoting events/places.

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A place that people want to promote

Community / Council Visibility of culture and heritage.

Developers / Council Allowance for art in design, including heritage.

Chamber of Commerce / Council Promotion / Networking.

Art Groups / Council National art event with broad participation outside from town.

Accommodation providers Concurrent workshops attached to accommodation.

Accommodation businesses / Council / Interest Groups

Interwoven activities across all disciplines and interests and activities.

Council / Public Art Committee Education programs – Food and Art.

Council / Rotary Develop/support the Rotary Trail.

Council / Business Provide free Wi-Fi.

Council / Business Bannercondas.

A place that provides a welcome, safe, inclusive environment

Council / Committees Tourism and Business Advisory Committees – work together more.

Council / Community Groups / Tourism Industry Break down “silo mentality” – work together rather than compete with each other.

Developers / Business Create a safe environment – mixed purpose spaces, include residential development, design at a human scale, provide visual connections, and incorporate public art.

All Social, cultural change in attitude towards visitors – “say hello”.

Community groups and Social groups Spread the message that tourism is our largest industry and has a multiplier effect for the economy.

Schools Educate and engage youth.

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Arts groups / Chamber of Commerce / Others, including Accommodation providers

Work together more to coordinate / bring events, particularly in the off season. Concurrent workshops in many venues.

All ages and all abilities activities.

Push and promote each other.

A place where the community takes responsibility for each other

Community Culture of saying hello. Looking outwards.

Community Groups Enhance visibility of culture.

Individuals Utilise our own networks.

Schools Youth engagement.

Individuals and community groups Communication is a transaction. Find out rather than waiting to be told.

Community Culture of saying hello. Looking outwards.

A place that takes advantage of proximity to other places

Community Social/cultural change to be welcoming of people from other places (e.g. Canberra)

Tourism / Community Heritage Trails

Business / Council Promote other places nearby through murals, flags, banners, etc.

Community / Accommodation providers Concurrent events in a number of places (cross promotion)

Business Helipad from Canberra to take advantage of international tourism

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4. Appendices Workshop booklet

Workshop template

Additional submitted comments

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