By Lauren Duffy
Mitchell Shire Council has once again defended criticism of the Kilmore Streetscape Rejuvenation Project, adamant that short-term pain will be a long-term gain.
Council says the long-term benefits of the upgrade will outweigh the inconvenience and potential loss of income for traders, who are facing a downturn in business ahead of Christmas due to traffic woes and parking issues that are plaguing the street.
There will be no financial compensation for Sydney Street businesses affected by the works.
The works have regularly caused traffic delays in the street.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said while there had been some delays to the project, the cost of the project remained the same.
In addressing a list of questions asked by the Review regarding the ongoing impacts on Sydney Street businesses and specific issues with the project that have been raised by the community, Cr Stevens said works would offer long-term benefits for Sydney Street businesses.
The Review also asked, due to the timing of the current works in the lead-up to Christmas, if council planned to start encouraging people to shop at businesses in Kilmore. The council did not respond to the question.
“They [the works] will rejuvenate the main street and encourage more people to stop and shop in Kilmore,” Cr Stevens said.
“When finished, we are confident the upgrades and beautification will add to the character of the town and bring a fresh feel to the main street.
“Council will continue working with businesses to minimise the impact on trading. We know these works are an inconvenience, but they are necessary for the future of Kilmore.”
Cr Stevens said the paved garden beds, put in place of several carparks along the street, had been designed to provide generous areas to grow and provide shade and colour to the streetscape.
The Review has been made aware of several incidents where cars have been damaged by the garden bed boundaries, which can be difficult to see when in close proximity.
“During the construction of some of these garden beds, we are aware there have been incidents involving vehicles mounting the bluestone blocks that surround these garden beds,” she said.
“Council is confident that once the works are completed and street trees and other plantings are installed, motorists will be more aware of the presence of these garden beds just as they are for the current garden beds in Sydney Street.
“New line marking of parking bays and buffer zones between parking bays and garden beds will also help to ensure motorists do not mount these garden beds.
“One of the garden beds near the Royal Oak is proposed to be shortened slightly to provide more room for vehicles exiting the car park. Council believes that once works are completed, the tree outstands will add to the character of Sydney Street and be an integral part of the new street look and feel.”
Council last month announced a delay in installing three pedestrian refuges planned for the middle of the street due to wet weather slowing night works. The refuges are now being planned to be installed in February.
In a letter to the editor last week Kilmore resident Murray Hackney questioned how trucks carrying large loads – such as Kilmore-based business NVC Precast, which regularly transports huge concrete pipes and bridge parts across Victoria – would negotiate the new pedestrian refuges, which leave minimal space for large vehicles to pass.
Cr Stevens said Sydney Street, which is part of the Northern Highway, was an important road for many stakeholders including heavy vehicle transport operators.
“Mitchell Shire Council is currently working with these stakeholders to find a suitable schedule for the construction of the traffic islands to give them sufficient time for the concrete to set,” she said.
“Once the concrete islands are completed, there will be sufficient traffic lane widths for trucks on either side of the traffic islands.
“For very large trucks, including super loads, these trucks will be able to drive over or straddle these islands.”
The Review has received a steady stream of complaints from Sydney Street business owners since works began.
Oddfellows Café, located in the thick of where work is taking place in the street, has been affected, with car parking removed from the front of its premises and its outdoor seating area also affected.
Owner Kim Short said: “I’d like to know what the logic was in taking at least three car parks from the front of my shop and more across the road just to put in concrete pillars. I don’t just temporarily lose parking while the works are being done. It’s permanent and not attractive at all.”
The $4.65 million project will include new trees and plants, enhanced pedestrian crossing points, new stone paving, new street furniture, a new heritage colour scheme, a reduction in car parking but signs to nearby parking, and promotional banners and motifs.
The Kilmore and District Residents and Ratepayers Association has also questioned the types of bollards and posts that have been installed, which look different to the planned Victorian style that the community had requested.
