Childers Heritage Streetscape Project needs your input

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Heritage buildings in the picturesque main street of Childers are the subject of a Heritage Consultants report soon to be released for community comment.
Heritage buildings in the picturesque main street of Childers are the subject of a Heritage Consultants report soon to be released for community comment.

Childers, with its picturesque main street and heritage buildings, boasts its own unique charm and a report commissioned by the Childers Chamber of Commerce aims to preserve and enhance this important asset.

Heritage consultants, Converge Heritage and Community, have compiled a report with the objective of facilitating the ongoing management of the local heritage listed buildings.

To ensure a broad consultative process regarding the outcomes of the report, the Chamber is inviting the general community to attend a briefing session on Tuesday, November 19 and to offer feedback.

Chamber president Teena Mammino said the consultative process would also include workshops with main street traders and some one on one sessions with owners of the heritage listed building in Churchill Street.

Colour and signage suggestions in report

The Paragon Theatre is one of many heritage listed buildings in the main street of Childers.
The Paragon Theatre is one of many heritage listed buildings in the main street of Childers.

“There are some obvious recommendations contained within the strategy including a suggested colour palette to promote a uniform approach to heritage colours. Likewise, signage could use heritage lettering to complement buildings and avoid what the consultant’s term as “visual clutter”.

Ms Mammino said lighting was also identified as a means of adding dramatic effect, security and general illumination to showcase the heritage aspects of the main street.

“Converge maintains that particular attention needs to be paid to shopfronts and windows which should not be obscured with decals or significant signwriting. Street furniture is an important part of the strategy as it provides opportunities to create nodes for social interaction as well as places of rest.”

Options available for Council support

Ms Mammino said the report recommended several means by which Council could assist with the ongoing promotion of the heritage aspects of Childers.

The introduction of heritage grants, rate discounts or facilitating specialist advice to owners by heritage professionals including architects and pre-qualified tradespeople.

“To protect this unique asset, Converge promotes the preparation and legislation of a Heritage Streetscape Policy for the CBD section of Churchill Street,” said the Chamber president.

The Community Information Session scheduled for Tuesday, November 19 will be held at the Isis Cultural Centre for an hour commencing at 1.30pm.

The Building and Business Owners Workshop will be held from 4.30pm and is expected to occupy 90 minutes.

Ms Mammino said the Chamber and the consultants are seeking as many diverse views as possible in an endeavour to ensure all aspects of the survey have been thoroughly canvassed.