By JESSE GRAHAM
WHAT would make a more beautiful, more attractive and more vibrant Coldstream? That was the question that underpinned a community workshop last week at the Coldstream Community Centre, and plenty of ideas came forth for the town.
Yarra Ranges mayor Fiona McAllister said the council staff and around 15 members of the Coldstream community got together on Tuesday 20 May to talk about the possibilities for the short-term future of the town.
Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S. ran the meeting and helped co-ordinate the group, giving each of the tables an idea or a theme to work on.
Mr Kenyon said there was a lot of animated discussion about what to do to revamp the town, and to tap into the tourist crowds that flocked to the Yarra Valley each weekend.
Ideas written on paper emblazoned the walls, with proposals including more footpaths, community gardens, and even a historical walk centring on the town’s own Dame Nellie Melba.
One of the many ideas raised was involving youth engagement, whether through a bike park, or a skate park, along with a new playground for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Cr McAllister said there was a lot of engagement on the topic of Coldstream’s future as a town, and that the meeting on the Tuesday followed up on ideas raised by Yarra Valley Friendship Club in a workshop the day before.
“It’s building on everything that has happened so far, in terms of thinking about the future of Coldstream, what will re-energise it and what it will look like,” she said.
“A big question is about how do we make people stop and spend time here – we’ve expanded on that today,” she said.
Cr McAllister said a gateway into the town (similar to that of the Great Ocean Road’s) was a significant proposal raised, and emphasised that the town was the gateway to the Yarra Valley.
“There’s nothing there at the moment – just a council sign saying ‘Coldstream’,” she said.
“There are so many significant things about Coldstream – it’s where you pick Melba or Maroondah; where you start your adventure in the Yarra Valley.”
With ideas ranging from festivals, to playgrounds, walking trails or art, Cr McAllister said there would be a project or an idea for every member of the town to get involved with.
A group convening the discussions about the town has been named, and can be found by searching “Coldstream Voice” on Facebook.
