Improving the Appearance of Ashfield Town Centre
Nothing is more constant than change and Ashfield Town Centre is certainly changing for the better with our new Civic Centre expected to make a significant contribution towards improving the environment of the business area. Unfortunately, many traditional buildings in the Centre have what can only be described as a worn, rundown street appearance. This issue was identified as a particular problem that needed to be tackled in feedback we received from businesses, shoppers and residents as part of the "Ashfield Biggest Conversation" integrated planning process. A painting "makeover" for prominent buildings in the centre could positively transform them and their immediate surroundings for relatively modest outlay. Council believes a pro-active approach is needed to get results and has therefore taken the following initiative. We recently engaged a highly respected architect to prepare some paint schemes for some traditional buildings in the Town centre (see examples below or 
Paint Schemes (3.60 MB) for more information). As a result, Council has endorsed the principle of providing modest, targeted, staged financial assistance to owners/lessees of selected buildings to encourage repainting using traditional colours.
Examples of proposed paint schemes for 17-21 Hercules Street (above) and 191 Liverpool Road (below).
Council's financial assistance would help property owners meet the cost of painting a front building facade above awning level to a professional standard. Discounts on paint may also be negotiated by Council with local suppliers for businesses participating in the scheme. Free advice on suitable paint schemes can also be provided by Council's heritage advisers to all property owners/lessees in the Town Centre (call us on 9716 1962 to arrange a meeting with an adviser). To "start the ball rolling" Council staff will shortly be interviewing owners of key properties in the Town Centre (buildings having a high "visual presence" in busy locations) to assess their interest in participating in a painting improvement scheme.A priority report will then be submitted to Council recommending work priorities and allocating funding in order to "kick-start" the scheme, which may continue for some time. If the scheme is successful there will be a "win-win" outcome for businesses shoppers and residents because it will make Ashfield Town Centre a more attractive place to live, shop and do business.