FAQs
What is a Place Plan?
A Place Plan is a guiding document that aims to improve places and spaces for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. It uses a place-based approach to determine the physical infrastructure and services that best respond to local needs.
The Picton Place Plan aims to provide a framework to help Council work in partnership with the community to realise a shared vision for Picton. This includes guidance around events; activations; and locations of physical infrastructure – all to support our collective objectives.
A key feature of the Place Plan involves identifying short, medium-and longer-term initiatives and projects that will help invigorate the town.
Why does Picton need a Place Plan?
Picton is the central anchor point and administrative hub serving residents throughout Wollondilly Shire. Picton and Wollondilly Shire are evolving. Large, long term projects are either underway or on the horizon.
For example, Stage 1 of the Wollondilly Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct is underway, and we are finalising the Master Plan for Picton Parklands. A Place Plan takes these types of projects into consideration and helps to ensure there is a unifying vision, and a cohesive yet flexible approach to the way the town evolves.
What about other towns in Wollondilly Shire?
Place Plans for other Wollondilly towns will follow. The Picton Place Plan will be the first of many plans aimed at strengthening and invigorating our many town and village communities.
The needs of all of Wollondilly will continue to be the key focus when considering funding for projects in the Picton Place Plan as part of Council’s budgeting process.
Will there be more parking in town?
Council is currently undertaking works to improve and maximise parking on Walton Street. More opportunities for parking have been identified in the Place Plan.
Does the Picton Place Plan include the Bypass?
The Picton Bypass is a NSW Government funded project and is not directly linked to the Place Plan. However, during initial consultation about Picton Place Plan, many community members expressed concern about Picton’s ageing and congested infrastructure, which is having a negative effect on the perception of the place. Once funded and constructed, the Picton Bypass will enable ease of movement and help make the place more attractive, safe and enjoyable.
You’ll notice in the Place Plan that the Picton Progression project options are designated as Pre Bypass or Post Bypass – this simply identifies their recommended timing as relates to the Picton Bypass and consequent movement of traffic.
Currently, Wollondilly Council is calling on the NSW Government to fund and deliver the Picton Bypass – you can sign the Petition here.
Who will use the Place Plan?
The Place Plan will be used by Council, businesses, investors, creatives, and the community to shape Picton into the future.
How can the community be involved?
People in the Picton community have provided Council with lots of ideas over the last few years, which have been woven them into this Place Plan. During the drafting process, we also sought targeted information, particularly to gain insight into how COVID-19 has changed the town. Thank you to everyone who provided information and answered the initial survey.
What happens when the Place Plan consultation is finished?
Once we have reviewed all the submissions and comments from the broader community and we have the plan right, the elected Council will consider endorsing the plan. From there, the Plan will be ‘adopted’ and Picton Progression chapter is ‘alive’.
The key projects, ideas and opportunities can then be used for business cases. Projects and ideas can be costed and compared with other ones from around the Shire in short medium and long term. It will help Council and the community understand where Picton is, and what it can be with some evolution. It can help form the basis for ideas and changes to planning rules in the future.
When will the Place Plan be implemented?
The Place Plan sets out short-term initiatives which can be acted on more quickly as well as medium and longer-term goals. It is a flexible “choose your own adventure” framework rather than a linear list. The Place Plan includes projects that will be Council-led, plus opportunities for Council to partner with community, and initiatives which could be community driven.
How will this project be funded?
The Picton Place Plan is an overarching, flexible plan providing an assortment of possible projects. A finalised Plan will enable Council to pursue funding for specific projects within the Plan, and that funding is likely to come from a combination of sources.
In addition, some short-term projects could be undertaken independently by the community and local businesses.