Have your say: let Council know your ideas for Goondiwindi river precinct

Goondiwindi Regional Council is asking local residents and businesses to submit their ideas and suggestions for the future development of the Goondiwindi river precinct.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Lawrence Springborg AM said the development of the river precinct was identified in Council’s new Visitor Strategy as an area with significant potential to boost the region’s tourism opportunities.

The precinct area includes the Riverview Function Centre (formerly the Golden Age Centre), the Goondiwindi boat ramp and the Goondiwindi Bowls Club, with whom Council will collaborate, to create a vibrant strategy for the area. 

“Most locals would agree that the Macintyre River is a wonderful major asset for our region,” Cr Springborg said. “We are very fortunate to have the access that we do to our beautiful rivers and waterways, and they certainly offer a competitive advantage to our region - whether it’s boating and fishing at Coolmunda dam, or riverside camping along Old Kildonan Road.

“The river precinct area in Goondiwindi is potentially a very exciting future development that is currently underutilised, and we could capitalise on this space to encourage tourism, potentially increase commercial opportunities, and improve local lifestyle," the Mayor said.

“We’d really like to hear from the community about how they would like to see the area developed, including what commercial opportunities they think might be viable – so I encourage people to get thinking and let us know their ideas. Maybe you have an idea about how the community can better utilise this asset, or you think it would be a great restaurant and dining quarter, or maybe you’ve got an idea about how we could develop the River as an attraction in itself,” he said.

Council is working with local business Engage & Create Consulting to survey community members and consult with neighbouring residents and tourism and hospitality stakeholders - including the Goondiwindi Bowls Club. All other interested members of the community are encouraged to submit their ideas and views in the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WPH3YM3

Council would also like to hear from commercial operators on potential business opportunities that could help to boost the precinct as a tourism attraction. Those interested can submit their views and ideas in the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W5QWQVV

Cr Springborg said the development of the river precinct would contribute to the overarching tourism potential of Goondiwindi and the region as a whole.

“Proper development of that area has great potential to encourage recreational and commercial use of the precinct and needs to link back to the main street to increase the footfall in shops and businesses within the Goondiwindi CBD," he said. "The mighty Macintyre is a huge competitive advantage for our region’s tourism and I’m really interested to hear people’s suggestions for how we can make better use of it as an attraction going forward."

If you are unable to fill out the online survey, please contact Engage & Create Consulting to submit your views on 0448 459 464 or info@engageandcreateconsulting.com.au.