Work begins on revamp
The revitalisation of Carnarvon’s Main Street has begun with contractors starting demolition work last week.
The $8 million project, slated for completion in May, is fully funded by Royalties for Regions as part of the Gascoyne Revitalisation Plan, according to Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls.
Works could have started in November but the Shire opted to hold out to avoid any disturbance to retailers over the holiday period.
Shire president Karl Brandenburg said the plan was not just beautification; underground services would be installed and the area would be safer because of the new, even paving and lack of kerbs.
Robinson Street from Olivia Terrace outside of the Carnarvon Central Shopping Centre down to the Fascine at Town Beach will be remodelled with seamless kerbing.
Extra street furniture, including water fountains, benches, litter bins and better street lighting will be installed. Vegetation will also be changed with poincianas and jacarandas planted along the median and more shade trees put in along the footpath.
“We are transplanting as many of the existing plants and trees that we can and mature trees will be put in to make it look more established,” Mr Brandenburg said.
Shire infrastructure manager Brian Wall said the upgrade needed to happen because the town was starting to look tired and the community was complaining about the state of the footpaths.
Mr Wall said the Shire was hoping to make the western end of Robinson Street more pedestrian friendly and wanted to create a cafe strip in that area.
The roads involved in the revitalisation will be closed off in sections to create as little disturbance as possible, he said.
“We want to let people know the CBD is still accessible and that parking is available at the civic centre.”
Mr Brandenburg said he had received a few complaints about the road closures and lack of parking but he said it was to be expected. “In six months from now, when everyone sees how it looks people will say ‘wow’.” Some members of the community have raised concerns about access to the plans because they had not yet been made available online.
There was also an issue when the Shire’s closed circuit television cameras were overlooked in the plans.
This will put the cameras out of action for at least a month according to Carnarvon police.
ASHLEIGH TELFORD
