Works part of overall cbd plan
The $1.5 million redevelopment of Smith St, Warragul will focus on creating a pedestrian friendly shopping environment within the central business district with wider footpaths to continue the mall type atmosphere of Palmerston St.
Works are expected to begin by the end of next month.
Key features of the Smith St works include:
One-way traffic conversion (south bound from Palmerston to Queen St);
Road and footpath widening;
Closure of the roadway between Victoria and Smith Sts at the cenotaph;
A new intersection for south bound traffic at the Smith and Victoria Sts point of the cenotaph triangle;
Safer and accessible pedestrian crossing points; Improved drainage; and, New trees, landscaping and garden beds.
Project manager Lee Yuill said the main priority will be conversion of the street to one way and these works would be undertaken almost immediately.
He said new traffic islands would be installed south of the cenotaph to create a new intersection with Victoria St and give priority to south bound Victoria St traffic. Motorists travelling south along Smith St will be required to give way to Victoria St south bound traffic at the new cenotaph intersection.
Mr Yuill said while the Palmerston St works created some concern about the width of road pavement, Smith St would be six metres between car parks on either side, which is 70 centimetres wider than Palmerston St.
There will be no loss of parking with the streetscape works, that will feature diagonal parking on the west and east sides of Smith St and three parallel parks adjacent to the cenotaph. He said the 63 car parking spaces currently in that section would be maintained, while disabled parking bays would be increased.
Raised designated pedestrian crossings will be established at existing crossings at the Williams St intersection and cinema arcade.
Mr Yuill said footpaths along the western side of the street would be widened and feature new pavement, which will flow into a courtyard area in front of the cenotaph to create a more open community space with bench seating and bollards preventing through traffic.
Eleven additional trees will be planted to create a green space and garden feature areas will more the double.
“The aim is to create a mall type feel. The heritage paving will help to create that village feel. We want people to get a coffee and come and sit in the street,” he said.
The works are expected to take 10 weeks. Mr Yuill said the contractors, Mad Cat Constructions would have crews working day and night shifts.
He said works undertaken during the day would ensure minimal disruption to retailers and community members
Major disruptive works will be conducted at night when the road is closed to vehicles and pedestrians.
Retailers and businesses have been closely consulted throughout project planning and will continue to be consulted during construction.
Access to footpaths and shops will be maintained.
Mayor Mikaela Power said the streetscape project was designed to help the town cope with a growing population and the increased traffic that comes with it.
“All nine stages of works are designed to better manage and redirect traffic within the confines of our existing roads and make the cbd experience safer, more inviting and more accessible for pedestrians,” she said.
New traffic lights at the Queen/Napier St, expected to be installed in April/May, will provide alternative access in and out of the cbd area, making it easier for drivers to bypass the Queen St roundabout.
Bonlac site
While council is regularly questioned on why it cannot develop the old Bonlac milk factory site in Queen St, Cr Power said it was a privately owned site.
She said council understood the strategic importance of this site.
“In order for the site to be developed, a planning application would need to be submitted to council for consideration by the land owner. There is currently no planning application lodged with council for the development of this site,” she said.