Old courthouse walkway and courtyard to be a vibrant community space
Published on 13 December 2024
Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on draft concept plans for the redesign of the old courthouse walkway and northern courtyard. These plans will be on public exhibition for 32 days, commencing today.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 11 December 2024, Council resolved to place the draft concept plans on public exhibition. The exhibition period is a key opportunity for the community to help shape the future of this important heritage site, which has seen the western walkway closed since 2009.
“As a result of feedback received during the open day and community consultation held in November last year it was confirmed that the community wanted to see the old courthouse activated and transformed into a vibrant public space,” said Mayor Sam Coupland.
“It is important to activate the site in the short-term to demonstrate to the community that council is actively working on the old courthouse precinct. The courtyard and walkway are a natural first step and will provide improved access into the mall and showcase a wonderful heritage asset.”
Council engaged a landscape architect to assist with the preparation of concept plans which aim to transform the northern courtyard and western walkway into a continuous, flexible, and shared space. The upgrades are designed to offer immediate benefits and align with long-term visions for the site.
The proposed improvements include:
- a flexible/shared walkway space along the western side of the old courthouse building
- enhancements to the northern courtyard behind the Old Sheriff's Quarters
- options for additional upgrades to increase public access and activation.
The draft concept plans incorporate a range of urban design elements to improve public amenity and heritage appreciation, such as:
- improved disability access
- street furniture, seating walls, and pavement treatments
- multipurpose arbours with lighting, roofed sections, and climbing plants
- outdoor dining opportunities and walkway connections
- tree plantings, landscaped garden beds, and opportunities for public art
- heritage interpretation displays
- removal of intrusive elements (eg air conditioning units and water tanks).
Should the community support the concept plans, Council intends to apply for funding through Heritage NSW’s Caring for State Heritage grant program. This competitive scheme, available only once every two years, provides up to $300,000 in funding, and requires a matching contribution from Council. If successful, Council will contribute $400,000 in matching funds provided from Council’s section 7.12 developer contributions fund. Community feedback will be vital to strengthening the grant application and securing funding for these important upgrades.
The draft concept plans will be on public exhibition for 32 days. During this period, residents are encouraged to review the plans and provide their feedback. The plans are available on council’s online engagement portal Your Say Armidale and in-person at a ‘pop-up display’ which will be held in the mall at key stages throughout the project. Further information is available at Your Say Armidale.
Your feedback is essential to ensure this project meets the needs of the community and helps breathe new life into one of Armidale’s key heritage sites.