HAWKESBURY City Council will shift its focus to South Windsor soon in a pilot program with Place Score to 'jumpstart' the area and help businesses implement change.
But what do South Windsor shopkeepers want for their area?
Windsor Florist owner, Terry Quattromani, said he hoped the team would commit to a number of cosmetic upgrades around George Street, South Windsor, including more gardens, and plants and planters - containing healthy, looked-after plants - on the footpaths.
"It would make it look more inviting for customers, and 'colour' things up a bit," he told the Gazette.
Mr Quattromani also hoped to see park benches installed in the area so patrons could sit down and take a break - especially the older shoppers, who he said he sometimes saw leaning on telegraph poles for a break.
"Probably the most important thing is, I think we need a roundabout on the corner of George and Campbell Streets, as I have seen so many near misses with cars pulling out from Campbell Street onto George," he said.
Speechley Property co-director, Brian Speechley, said he thought the paving on the footpath was dangerous and he wanted to see it fixed.
"From Campbell to Argyle Street there are a lot of loose pavers and trip hazards," Mr Speechley said.
"We also need speed humps as people fly through here. We have one at the pedestrian crossing but we need more; it's 40km/hr but people still speed through."
He agreed that beautification of the area was important. He said there were plants and garden beds on the footpath that were littered with cigarette butts and sometimes used needles, and the plants were mostly dead and brown. He also cited graffiti as a problem.
"Whether the shop keepers would be prepared to put in a bit and pay for maintenance of the area; I certainly would. But it's up to the locals to take responsibility [for being tidier] too."
He said he had been contacted by Place Score but was hoping for more information about the project and what initial ideas Hawkesbury Council had about what they could do for South Windsor.
Council has been working with Place Score on the Jumpstart Program, which is currently being rolled-out over six weeks in Windsor Mall before heading to South Windsor shopping strip.
Council has allocated $25,000 to help businesses in both districts "implement their actions".
The pilot Jumpstart Program was created in the wake of COVID-19 and the bushfires, to help struggling businesses get back on their feet.
Windsor Mall and South Windsor are among only a small number of towns in NSW and Victoria where the program is being rolled out by Place Score - a 'place experience' diagnostic, engagement, benchmarking, and data tracking platform that helps guide and measure more effective investment in urban environments.
For the program, a committee made up of owners of eleven businesses in Windsor Mall have been attending online sessions and providing information about local trading conditions.
The same will soon happen for South Windsor.
If you are interested in getting involved in the South Windsor Jumpstart Program, email aditya@placescore.org.