The town of Ballina can be characterised by a relatively low level of open civic space within the towns historic core and this should be addressed going forward. The Covid 19 pandemic will transform how the public engage with civic spaces in an urban context and wherever possible SME`s should be asisted in recovery by the provision of more open civic spaces within the town centre either throigh a proces of pedestrianisation of selected streets or the expansion of the pre-existing public realm. A strong case exists for the either full or partial pedestrianisation of Pearse street,already an architectectural conservation area with key public buildings like the Jackie Clarke Collection, Presbyterian Church (walsh St) and the Town Library. Pedestrianisation can facilitate outdoor dining and promote greater engagemnet with the historic core of the town centre. It can also facilitate the installation of green infrastructure which improves air quality. Significant potential exists for the designation of zones for plaza development such as lower Pearse St and Walsh St which feature ornate built heritage, a wall mural and a public garden.
The feasibility for the creation of a public plaza at the old Military Barracks should also be explored if there are alternatives for parking and the levels of vehicular traffic in the town centre can be reduced.