COUNCIL CANDIDATE’S RETAIL TRANSFORMATION PLAN
THE streets around one of the Gold Coast’s most popular suburban shopping centres will be transformed as part of an election pledge.
Division 6 council candidate Shaelee Welchman has vowed to fund a revamp of Southport’s Alicia St which fronts the Hamilton Heights shops and Ron Short Park.
The “low-cost” street improvement plan would include a new pedestrian crossing, entry statement pavements at both ends of the shopping strip, trees with fairy lights and entry signs.
Ms Welchman, who has been endorsed by retiring councillor Dawn Crichlow, said the Keebra Park area needed attention.
“Our neighbourhood shops are an important part of the character and liveability of our local areas and the community and council need to support these hidden gems so that they survive and thrive,” she said.
“They will create a great atmosphere and experience for locals as well as making the streets safer by installing traffic calming and lighting, planting and embedding history into its design.
Ms Welchman said the proposed revamp would also help address a long-running issue – motorists speeding along Alicia St.
“Local businesses, many of whom have been there for over 20 years, have been complaining about vehicles speeding through the street for years and say it is only a matter of time before there is a tragedy,” she said.
“I am proposing to install coloured road surface treatment, entry features, a pedestrian crossing, fairy lights and history information boards.”
CCTV cameras will also be considered.
Division 6 is expected to be one of the Coast’s most hotly contested seats at the March 28 election.
Candidates include Josephine Tobias, Susie Gallagher, Brook Patterson and Michael Pulford.