$5.6 million streets revamp continues
More than $5 million worth of streetscape works planned for the Warragul central business district are half way to completion.
Baw Baw Shire has budgeted an estimated $5.6 million worth of works over a four year period and completion of the Palmerston and Mason St works will mark a half way point for the works.
Council said the investment would address and improve pedestrian access, traffic flow, parking, drainage, landscaping and street appeal of the Warragul town centre.
“This project will support Warragul’s retail industry and flourishing CBD area. In the long term, the project will significantly benefit the local economy by encouraging more people to visit, shop, dine, occupy and enjoy the public areas,” council said.
Converting Smith St, south of Palmerston St, to one way traffic will be the major project for the 2018/19 financial year. The works began in 2016 with streetscape improvements to the northern end of Smith St.
The $250,000 project included installation of a median strip with new plantings, two new pedestrian crossings and accessibility compliant carparks.
This year’s financial works, totalling almost $2.5 million have included:
Construction of three new roundabouts in Mason St, at the Albert, Palmerston St and Williams St intersections, to improve traffic flow around the cbd; and,
A total revamp of Palmerston St between Victoria and Smith Sts, to create a pedestrian friendly area, one way east bound traffic, more parking and improved drainage.
Construction is still in progress on the Palmerston St works.
For the 2018/19 year, council has identified two projects:
$400,000 for installation of traffic lights to improve safety and traffic flow; and, $1 million for the southern end of Smith St including road widening, more parking, increased pedestrian access, improved drainage and oneway south bound traffic flow.
Both these projects are in the planning and design stage.
The final two stages of the streetscape works, earmarked for 2019/20 include works in Victoria and Queen Sts. Both projects are in a concept plan stage.
Council has budgeted $1 million for the Victoria St works which include upgrading footpaths, improved drainage and new kerb and channel between Queen and Napier Sts.
A further $480,000 has been budgeted to improve the path layout in Queen St Park, improved paving, promenade pedestrian pathway and relocation of toilet block in Queen St.