A fresh concept for Wonthaggi’s streets

THE reputation prior to Wednesday for the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Streetscape as part of Bass Coast Shire’s Master Plan was less than impressive according to some locals.

All that changed last week as Key Stakeholders were invited by Bass Coast Shire’s Major Projects team to hear the new and vastly different concept proposal.

Still in its early days, the concept has listened to feedback from the community and key stakeholders and comes with a fresh new team.

The project is managed by Bass Coast Shire Major Projects Team; Damian Prendergast, Hannah Eisen and Emma Allsop, while the new concept has been designed by Hansen Partnership and The Institute for Sensible Transport.

Stakeholders were shocked by the vast transformation, with one concerned business owner exclaiming it was ‘a hundred per cent better (on McBride Avenue)’.

The feedback session on Wednesday was the first step in the new plan which will see government stakeholders, community groups and affected traders able to comment between now and December 7.

Feedback from these stakeholders will be consolidated and plans reviewed prior to the Master Plan being introduced to the community after Christmas.

A final Master Plan will evolve following engagement and feedback, which will inform the schematic design in the first quarter of 2023.

The initial concept plans are head and shoulders above previous plans that fired up local residents and business owners.

Gone is the heavy shift from less parking and outdoor ‘al fresco’ options, instead the new plan balances the fine line between breathing room, more all-day parking and space for businesses to utilise the sidewalk.

Stay tuned as further details regarding the community consultation and updated plans for the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Streetscape are provided after Christmas.