Emma Pritchard

There was a renewed energy in the air in Prince Street, Grafton, earlier this week as Clarence Valley Council (CVC) representatives met with Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway to officially launch Rediscover Grafton.

A local project funded by a $495000 grant through the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces Program, Rediscover Grafton is an initiative between council and multiple organisations including Transport for NSW, the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE), and the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, and is aimed at improving accessibility and connection while supporting local businesses via increased pedestrian traffic, and the enablement of evening activities in the Grafton CBD while making the vicinity look more attractive to shoppers.

During recent months, footpaths along Prince Street have been widened, front-to-kerb parking has been introduced, and new plant boxes, shade, lighting, and seating have been established to encourage more people to frequent the area.

As she addressed the small crowd in attendance on February 6, Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black commented on how fantastic it was to see the amount of space, movement, and life in Prince Street.

“We’re noticing a lot more people are coming to hang around here,” she said.

“This (project) is an economic recovery initiative, and that means it’s about supporting the local businesses here, and bringing more people to Grafton to enjoy what there is to offer.

“We’ll be putting up more shade, more seating, and outdoor dining will start to emerge, and local businesses will really start to take advantage of the space in front of their shops.

“It’s an exciting time for Grafton.”

While there was a lot of support for the project, a small group of Clarence Valley residents who did not wish to be named, said they have severe apprehensions about Rediscover Grafton.

While they agreed it is a wonderful initiative to invite more people into Prince Street and support local shops, they said there was no need to widen the footpaths or implement front-to-kerb parking.

“Lots of people don’t like parking nose-in,” they said.

“It creates a lot of dangerous situations because mothers and carers are now having to get prams and wheelchairs out of their boots with their backs quite close to the traffic in the street.

“Children are also much closer to the street when they get out of cars, and that is another huge concern.”

Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis acknowledged while a lot of people don’t like change, he said there are many positives associated with Rediscover Grafton.

“It’s a trial,” he said encouragingly.

“It will certainly bring a lot more people into Grafton.”