Shopping precinct upgrade proposal

Northern Grampians Shire leaders have discussed a plan to upgrade Stawell’s main retail shopping strip with Federal Member for Mallee Andrew Broad.

Northern Grampians mayor Tony Driscoll and chief executive Michael Bailey met with Mr Broad to discuss plans for a large-scale upgrade of Main Street to bring it in to line with modern retail benchmarks.

The project represents a major portion of the council’s Revitalise! Project, which aims to inject new life into the St Arnaud and Stawell business communities.

Other projects include a full retail gap analysis for both Stawell and St Arnaud, the council’s updated Business Assistance Scheme and a newly launched investment prospectus targeted at potential investors.

“This is a key project for our business community, and we’re out there actively seeking support to transform these plans into a reality,” Cr Driscoll said. The cost of the planned upgrade of Main Street is estimated at $1.3-million.

Cr Driscoll said he and his fellow councillors would pursue government funding.

“Taking a realistic view, this project will largely be dependent upon funding from either the state or federal governments, and we’ll be out there advocating for this project to both tiers of government,” he said.