The first designs (concept designs) for a street revitalization and consultation with the community was completed at the end of the year in 2020 (endorsed by Council in September 2020(PDF, 441KB)).
The process involved the Town appointing a multi-disciplinary team to prepare a concept design and staging plan based on site analysis, community engagement and best practice transport planning and urban design. The design process included;
(a) Literature review and site analysis culminating in an outline of opportunities and constraints;
(b) Existing street and car parking assessment;
(c) Online businesses and residents survey through Your Thoughts;
(d) Pop-up morning engagement to survey locals using the street;
The design process engaged with our community and included a community survey with 116 responses, a pop-up engagement on Archer Street and one on one interviews with Town Officers and several businesses on Archer Street. The community engagement refined the vision and objectives for the project, building on the strategic outcomes outlined in the Town’s Strategic Community Plan. A snapshot of the results of this engagement are provided in the attachments.
This work culminated in a draft plan (see attached documents at the bottom of this page) which was endorsed by Council to proceed to public advertising at the 15 June 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting. The public advertising period was conducted over a three-week period in June and July 2020.
The Town received 75 submissions during the public comment period. 72 submissions either supported the proposal or supported the proposal with some concerns. There were three submissions that opposed the proposal.
The final Plan considered all aspects of the public land on the street including the road, footpath, verge and street trees.
The Town has now completed Stage 1 works.
Further construction stages elsewhere along Archer St will be considered, consistent with the limitations and considerations in the Long-Term Financial Plan. Funding for this project is a mix of external funding and from the Town’s finances.