Shire wants to set the tones

The Shire of Narrogin is looking for public feedback on a proposed CBD colour scheme and signage guidelines which aim to preserve the town’s aesthetic and historic values. H+H Architects was appointed by the Shire to prepare the Shire of Narrogin Town Centre Colour Palette Guide & Signage Guide in order to improve and preserve the physical and aesthetic quality of the CBD. The colour palette will also provide guidance to the council, private landowners and developers on appropriate external colours for new or existing developments. Shire of Narrogin chief executive Dale Stewart said the scheme would apply to business owners only if they chose to paint. “It relates to new and existing businesses if they choose to paint, so when or if they repaint it is required to consider this colour palette,” he said. “The colour regime looks at what buildings would have been traditionally painted in terms of different trims on the building, on all exterior surfaces ... just what the public and tourists can see from the street.” The colour palette will apply to businesses in the CBD, bound by the southern side of Clayton Road, Federal Street, Fairway Street, Park Street and Earl Street. The draft policy is out for public comment until May 29. The exterior colour scheme includes dark greens and red oxides, blue greys and charcoals, as well as beige and pale orange-brown with highlights of cream and white. Notable examples of Federation-era buildings include the Mardoc Building, the Town Hall, the Masonic Hall and the Post Office. The signage guidelines will guide the design and materials of advertising signs and ensure signs erected on heritage buildings are compatible with the character of the building and streetscape. Mr Stewart said there were lots of options. “We’ve done the hard yards with architects to provide combinations and suggestions of how to do it to provide a good guide to landowners and tenants of shops to try and create a traditional feel,” he said. The council has also been advised to consider allocating funds in the 2020-21 budget to provide an incentive for property owners to encourage the use of the colour palette.