Bellingen Shire Town Entry Statement Signs

Announcement

November saw the finalisation of the Town Entry Statement Signage project, with the signs being officially unveiled and celebrated by Council and the Gumbaynggirr artists involved at a small event held at the Urunga Foreshore.

While the signs have been installed in Dorrigo, Bellingen, Urunga , Repton and Mylestom, they are yet to reveal their true and final appearance. The weathering steel used

Project typeSignage
Project value$250,000
Project scheduleComplete
Contractor nameMultiple Contractors

Gumbaynggirr Elder Uncle Cecil sits at the Dorrigo Town Sign.JPG

Timeframe

December 2024 - May 2025: Working with National Aboriginal Design Agency to commission Gumbaynggirr artworks

May 2025 - September 2025: Signage panel fabrication

Late 2025: Installation of town entry statement signs

Project Scope

Council will be introducing eight (8) new town entry statement signs across the Bellingen Shire in 2025. Town entry statements are one of the various types of destination signage used across the NSW road network recognised by visitors who are finding places, tourist attractions and facilities.

Town Entry Statements

Town entry statements, also known as gateway signs – they provide a clear sense of arrival for travellers and visitors. They are a key feature of the NSW road network, helping people identify locations. More than just directional signage, they play an important role in shaping the first impression of our communities, encouraging visitation and engagement with local business and attractions.

Project Vision

Council is taking this opportunity to design and install a cohesive suite of town entry statements that reflect the character and natural beauty of the Bellingen Shire. The new statements are thoughtfully designed to:

Celebrate local identity – showcasing the unique charm and culture of each town.

Enhance visitor experience – providing clear and welcoming arrival points.

Encourage economic and tourism benefits – positioning our towns as destinations worth exploring.

Reflect our Gumbaynggirr culture – recognising the spirit of place and culture that has existed for thousands of years.

Locations of the town entry statement signs

There will be two signs on approach to Dorrigo, two for Urunga, two for Bellingen and one on approach to Mylestom, plus an additional combined sign for Mylestom and Repton.

Locations of each sign have been identified - see each location below for a map and a mock-up of what the sign will look like.

Town Signage Location

Bellingen town signage location

There will be two town signs for Bellingen, one at the eastern approach and one at the western approach.

Coastal town signage locations

There will be two signs for Urunga, one at the northern end and one at the southern end. There will also be one sign at the approach to Mylestom and a combined sign for Repton and Mylestom.

Dorrigo town signage location

There will be two unique town signs for Dorrigo, one for the eastern approach and one for the western approach.

Design of the town entry statement signs

The signage materials will consist of timber and corten steel — also known as weathering steel — which develops a stable, rust-like appearance over time. The materials were carefully chosen in keeping with the surrounding landscape, with a natural, textured character given by the corten, and the timber reflecting the area's natural resources. The materials selected are also suitable for etching and engraving artwork graphics and text to add local character to the signs and represent the history and culture of our towns. Other important considerations are climate sensitivity and durability to ensure a long lifespan, cost and on-going maintenance, graffiti resistance and safety.

Council formally engaged Fisher Design + Architecture in the development of the concepts and design of the town entry statements.

Bellingen East town sign mock up — thumbnail_Mockup_Bellingen-East.jpg

Town entry statements visual representation, designed by Fisher Design + Architecture.

Gumbaynggirr artwork

Council has worked with the Coffs Harbour-based National Aboriginal Design Agency to commission local artists to develop artworks that will prominently feature in each of the signs.

The three local Gumbaynggirr artists that were selected to develop bespoke artwork for the town entry statement signs are:

Brentyn Lugnan for the Bellingen statements
Honey Cairns for the Dorrigo statements
Lisa Kelly for the coastal area statements including Urunga, Mylestom and Repton
Three local Elders and the artists worked together on the development of the artwork and stories.

Honey Cairns - Town Entry Statements

Description of the art and artist for the Dorrigo town entry statement.

Brentyn Lugnan - Town Entry Statements

Description of the art and artist for the Bellingen town entry statement.

Lisa Kelly - Town Entry Statements

Description of the art and artist for the Urunga, Mylestom and Repton town entry statements.

Community engagement

These town entry sign designs are informed by our Signage Strategy and Branding Strategy to ensure they reflect the extensive feedback from our community.

Council has undertaken consultation with relevant Aboriginal community organisations and members on dual naming and language used for the town entry statements.

Frequently asked questions

How were the three artists selected?

Council formally engaged the Coffs Harbour-based National Aboriginal Design Agency (NADA) to commission three artists and manage the associated licensing and copyright between the selected artists, NADA and Council. Council opened an Expression of Interest in late 2024 calling for artist submissions.

Where will the signs be located?

The exact locations of the signs are detailed above in the ''Town Signage Locations'' section with map images.

Will existing signage be removed when the new ones are installed?

Council will undertake a clean-up of signage in the areas surrounding the new town entry statements. This may include removal of existing outdated and dilapidated signage and/or the relocation of existing signage that remains current. Council has engaged relevant community groups and businesses that may be impacted by the changes.

How was the community consulted about the signs?

Signage Strategy 2019

Community feedback demonstrated that upgrading of signage — which in some instances is decades old — is important to the community. In terms of signage design, consistency in overall design with individuality to represent the different towns and communities was expressed, along with a very strong desire to reflect the history and culture of our Shire, with recognition of our Gumbaynggirr history, culture and language.

Brand Strategy 2021

The Brand Strategy aimed to create a destination brand that defines the essence of our Shire, developed through broad discussion with the community. The key message from the community was clear, with overwhelming support for the following three themes:

Celebration and protection of our unique natural environment
Respect and acknowledgement for Gumbaynggirr culture, and support for a voice for the Traditional Custodians of this land
Preservation and recognition of our unique, diverse community and culture

Dual naming and Gumbaynggirr language

Throughout 2025, Council has undertaken consultation with relevant Aboriginal community members and organisations on dual naming and language usage for the town entry statement signs.

Contact details

Project Manager

(02) 6655 7300

council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

Project Status