The nine-member advisory committee was named earlier this month after it attracted 31 applications, a shortlist presented by project manager Matt Sherman resulting in the appointment of the Echuca and Moama residents.
Mr Sherman said there was a consistent message from the successful candidates, revolving around the removal of Moama’s Meninya St "concrete jungle’’.
The committee will have its first meeting on Monday, in the Murray River Council chambers.
“It will be more of a welcome for the committee. They will be provided with an overview, in terms of the council’s strategic view for Meninya St, along with a briefing about the project,” Mr Sherman said.
“We will discuss things like policies and procedures and will also appoint a chair.”
The nine-member board will deliver a concept plan to the council by the end of the financial year.
The board is Moama-centric, as expected, but to continue the Murray River theme of “complement, not compete” it also has Echuca-based members.
Archiect Gerard Brandrick will play a significant role in delivering the concept plan, having been involved in the Bridge Arts Project and already having an understanding of the direction the precinct is taking.
“He has been involved in a lot of architectural design in, and around, Moama. He has experience in streetscape design and an understanding of the area,” Mr Sherman said.
Committee for Echuca Moama’s Oliver Boyd will bring financial and corporate service expertise to the group and his application was described by Mr Sherman as “ticking all the boxes”.
“He has been involved in property and valuations. He has a goal of giving Meninya St a strong outdoor dining feel.
"His application talked about things like providing more grass, trees and night lighting,“ Mr Sherman said.
Jason Russell, who has been involved in management roles in both Echuca and Moama, businesswoman and riverside land owner Nola Vulling and Wakiti Creek Resort businessman Phil Birrell are also on the board.
"Phil presented one of the more thorough applications, covering a whole range of ideas.
“He referenced a number of examples from travelling overseas and included those in his plans for Meninya St,” Mr Sherman said
Mr Birrell, in his application, said he felt like Meninya St did not capitalise on the amount of people who stayed in the area.
“He felt as though there was enough accommodation, but not enough interaction with visitors.
"He said things like night-time trading would also help,“ Mr Sherman said.
Darella Carr, another resident of Moama with 25 years’ experience in aged care and body corporate management, and tourism guru Jacqueline Starritt are also on the new advisory committee.
"(Jacqueline) is a former journalist, who was a co-founder of Earth Hour. She was also heavily involved in the Australian Sheep and Wool Show and brings a wealth of experience,“ Mr Sherman said.
She now lives at Womboota, her family having lived in the area for many decades.
James Hitchens, from Rock Solid, has significant goals for the project and, in his submission, said he would like a concept plan which could rival something like a green Lygon St, Melbourne.
City of Yarra engineer John Guilfoyle is the last member of the committee. He lives in Moama and works remotely for the City of Yarra.
“He is our connection to infrastructure and engineering. He has experience and exposure to what is being designed in Melbourne,” Mr Sherman said.
“In particular things like pedestrian and bicycle access, and the development of side streets and parking,” he said.
