Recently our Senior Planner Katrina Walkeralong with Planner Ben Frankish, took a trip to the Canberra region, for an exciting new project on the construction of a new licenced venue Googong Hotel.

The development proposal for the Googong Hotel is for a two-storey family friendly hotel which includes bistro, lounge, bar, beer garden, kids play area, function rooms, sports bar, and gaming room. Googong pub presents an opportunity to bring groups of people together, grow community connections and allow residents to engage in cultural activities.

Barr Planning were engaged for the preparation of a Social Impact Assessment and Community Impact Assessment, Level B (CIS-B). During their time, Katrina and Ben undertook community consultation in order to understand the community’s perception of the project and identify any actual and perceived social impacts of concern to the community. This involved door knocking local residents, undertaking street interviews and running drop in sessions at the local community centre to engage with the community.

Undertaking regional projects outside of metropolitan areas provides the Barr Team with an opportunity to plan and execute projects outside of the normal working environment, as well as observe and experience community development and regionalisation policies being implemented. It’s also a great excuse for a road trip!