Goulburn Mulwaree Council Locked Bag 22 Goulburn NSW 2580 Emailed: strategy@goulburn.nsw.gov.au and council@goulburn.nsw.gov.au Marulan/Tallong Community Network C/O 843 Marulan South Road Marulan NSW, 2579 21 st May 2013 This is a submission to Council s Delivery Plan 2013 2017 and Operational Plan 2013 2014. This submission is on behalf of the Marulan/Tallong Community Network formed in May 2013, as a result of a community workshop attended by community groups nominated as stakeholders in Boral s Community Engagement Plan. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a project that incorporated the requirements of the various groups in the larger community of Marulan and Tallong. The concept agreed upon was the building of a Heritage Museum and a Sustainability Park, located on sites in Marulan and Tallong. The meeting determined that a network composed of representatives from each of the community groups in Marulan and Tallong be established, to direct over a long term, the development of a Contemporary Regional Heritage Centre and associated parks. This network held its first meeting on May 21 st 2013. Community organisations represented were: Marulan Historical Society Tallong Community Focus Group Inc. Marulan Region Chamber of Commerce Inc. CWA Marulan Marulan Progress Association Marulan Public School P & C Marulan Garden Club Mulwaree Arts Marulan Senior Citizens Tallong Rural Fire Service Rural Fire Service Marulan Marulan Australia Day Committee Marulan Youth Club Marulan Lions Club Marulan Senior Citizens Council s Museum Advisor, Desmond Kennard was in attendance and at the request of the network Sharon Makin of Boral facilitated the meeting. The Heritage Centre set in parkland is a project which has united community groups, and provides the opportunity to develop a contemporary regional museum which can be a showcase for Goulburn Mulwaree. It is the vision that this Centre would incorporate local, Indigenous as well as European, history of the Tallong and Marulan area and extended into the broader Goulburn Mulwaree district. This project is intended to become a contemporary education venue that attracts tourists and school groups. It is envisaged, at this stage, that the project on its completion would consist of: A sustainable building using environmentally sound technologies and materials which provides areas for display of regional history, archiving and storage of artefacts, interactive education displays and a visitor information centre, based on modern museum guidelines and models
Guided and self guided heritage trails from Tallong through to Goulburn Running of events in association with Heritage Week, NAIDOC Week and school education programs that tell the stories of our heritage. An adjacent parkland area with botanical and bush tucker plantings, old mining machinery, cycle / walking tracks, heritage interpretative displays and information boards. A satellite venue at Tallong with access to Bushland and on site Indigenous displays. It is also seen as important that Indigenous history and stories are a focus in the Heritage Centre Precinct. Through Boral s work at their Peppertree Quarry site with their Aboriginal Management Committee the local indigenous history and presence in the area has been identified. Boral have identified within their Stakeholder Engagement Plan their wish to assist with projects aligned with the capture and education of aboriginal local history and have already commenced discussions with their AMC representatives as to what these could be. A commitment has also been made to introduce these representatives to the network and seek their involvement. The Centre will not replace nor replicate the facilities already provided at both the Marulan and Tallong Community Halls and associated parks. The concept is intended to develop engagement of Tallong and Marulan heritage groups with historical societies and centres in the Goulburn Mulwaree district. It is recognised that the Youth of the area need to be involved at the concept stage of this project so that the functioning centre and parks is sustained by young people of our district. Steps will be taken to secure representatives of Youth at local meetings through contact with the Marulan High Schools and youth sporting and activity groups. The Marulan/Tallong Community network see that this project supports many, if not all, the aims identified in Goulburn Mulwaree Council s Community Strategic Plan and we have outlined these below. Key Direction Strategies Project 1. Infrastructure 1.4 Transport 1.4.2 increased walking and cycling Walking and cycling tracks in park. Potential of walks and cycle tracks between Tallong and Marulan parks and tourist venues 1. 6 Public Space 1.6.2 Additional public space. Improvements to existing public space. Identify opportunities for enhancement of the villages Network in place to assist with funding opportunities and works in Marulan and Tallong. 2. Business and Industry 2.3 Education & Jobs The operation of an education and tourist attraction creates opportunities for both voluntary and paid employment. 2.3.1 to foster and build partnerships with schools and tertiary institutions Potential for undergraduates / students to participate in heritage centre design and development, archiving and museum function. Encourage involvement of youth at the concept stage to have ownership and direct involvement with Museum function. 2.3.2 To promote the local and Potential for community service
3. Community Needs regional economy. 2.6 Town/Village Enhancement 2.6.1 Implement enhancement programs to attract people to the area. 2.8 Tourism 2.8.1 To increase visitors to our area by identifying new opportunities. 3.6 Community Services 3.6.1 To provide a range of social and cultural services and associated infrastructure. programs and work for the dole programs to be utilised as well as developing commercial opportunities such as retail and café promotion. Network in place with focus on vision to enhance Marulan and Tallong District A Heritage Centre on the main road network between Canberra and Sydney showcases the heritage of the region to locals and visitors. Associated events such as Apple Day, Kite Festival, Australia Day and other national celebrations, Indigenous celebrations such as NAIDOC week, regional heritage tours and self drive trails promote the region and attract tourist interest. Continued use and support of existing services like the Brewer Centre and Community gardens contained within the Heritage Centre precinct 4. Environment 4.1 Waterways 4.1.1 Care and protect waterways Parklands as areas for Land care or caring for places projects Use of area for local events for water week, clean up Australia day etc Marulan/Tallong Land care group 4.2 Biodiversity 4.2.1 To protect, maintain and improve the diversity of our native fauna and flora. Development of both parkland areas sensitive to protection of habitats and biodiversity. 5. Culture and Leisure 4.3 Climate Change 4.3.1 Council to consider education programs to address climate change. Village communities to pursue environmentally friendly initiatives. 5.1 Heritage 5.1.1 Protect local heritage including indigenous heritage and the natural environment. Building to be example of environmentally sustainable products and building practice. Park to be example of sustainable design and management. Includes; solar lighting, recycled mulches, recycled water, composting toilets and so on. Preservation and management of local history and artefacts relating to Indigenous and European relationship
6. Image and Influence 5.2.1 To develop culture and leisure facilities, and activities. 6.1 Strategies 6.1 Building constructive relationships with the community. with the lands of Marulan / Tallong district. Events such as re-enactment of significant historical events, interactive displays and community engagement with all phases of the development of this project brings the stories into the community. In the development phase and in future community events associated with this project the Network intends to support ongoing use and upgrade of the Marulan and Tallong Public Halls. Network recognises that Council involvement in the development of the Heritage Centre is critical to its success. Strong community passion about the history of this area is a significant force behind this project. This submission is therefore put to council as a proposed Heritage Centre Precinct and is compatible with Council s Community Strategic Plan 2012 2022. The project takes advantage of the confluence of a number of factors being: (a) A community who are passionate about their villages and its long term sustainability (b) The concept plan meeting the combined community group s aspirations (c) The connecting of the history of the region from Tallong through to Marulan and Goulburn (in distance and in time) (d) The need for a Contemporary and Regional Heritage Centre (e) The release of Boral s Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) which indicates a number of themes that align with the creation of a Heritage Centre complex and who are willing to be part of the community in which it operates. The development of the vision of the Heritage Centre Precinct, although long term, has the ability to promote economic development and tourism within Goulburn Mulwaree. This plan for the whole region identifies a LGA able to work with community, business cultural organisations to provide a long term asset for future generations. As indicated, all participating groups realise this is a long term aspirational goal. The Marulan/Tallong Community Network consisting of one member from all community groups have therefore been formed to drive the vision. Boral has agreed to facilitate this Network moving forward. It is noted, however that the Delivery Plan 2013-2017 and the Operational Plan 2013-2014 has limited funding and that Council intend to seek other funding opportunities to achieve a number of the community strategic objectives. The Network understands that we are at an early stage in the development of the Heritage Centre and that our next steps are to consolidate the concept, seek broader community input, invite additional groups to be part of the network and prepare a business plan.
We would however, as part of this submission request financial commitment from Council in this and the next two operational plans in line with the Community Strategic Plan with the aim that at the end of that three year period the concept will be detailed, planned and quantified, ready for construction. Over the next three years it is envisaged that at a minimum, the sites would be surveyed, liaison with the relevant bodies would be undertaken, details of the precinct would be developed and agreed, and drawings and building plans of the sites produced. Where possible, local business such as Boral will assist with in-kind support. Funding and /or assistance will also be sourced from local business, Boral and the community groups involved. This is an opportunity for Council with seed money, to create a partnership with community and business and provide an asset which will bring great dividends to the LGA and meet, as previously listed, identified aims in the Community Strategic Plan. Yours sincerely Sharon Makin Facilitator and Signed on behalf of the Representatives of the Marulan/Tallong Community Network