The Mallacoota streetscape upgrade will enhance the appeal of the town centre by complementing the local character of the site with native plantings and aggregate pathways which are inspired by the cliffs at nearby Quarry Beach.

The shelter located at the Western end of Marice Avenue provides a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, and encloses a significant mosaic made by Aboriginal Elders. New landscaping around the shelter will include a mounded garden with native plantings.

We were pleased to support the Mallacoota Arts Council Inc.'s application to the Victorian Government's Tiny Towns Fund for improvements to the Mallacoota rotunda. This initiative aligns with our Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2033, which emphasises priorities outlined in the Council Plan for making "Our Place accessible, safe, connected, and healthy."

We are delighted to announce their application was successful. Sculptural screens have been designed to create a striking arrival point and enliven the gathering place with laser-cut images of birds, native plants and boats reflecting Mallacoota's natural and cultural environment.

This community project perfectly complements Council's streetscape improvements and will help screen the busy round about next to the park, creating an enclosed garden-like ambiance around the shelter.

The six sculptural screens will be made from 6MM HW350 Corten Steel rolled into gentle curves. The corten steel will complement the native plantings in the garden and speaks to the rugged wilderness landscape and rural history of the site.
The artwork screens are to be cut from 6mm thick steel. Each screen will be rolled into a gentle curve. The sculpture would be blasted all over to achieve a uniform effect before naturally weathering to a warm rusty colour.		The perforation sizes will be refined to make sure that they do not present a risk of entrapment. Situated in the garden and surrounded by native plantings the sculpture is clearly an artwork, not an invitation to climb.

This photo shows the depth of the construction - literally!

Additional images will be added to the photos folder as we progress.

We welcome your continued interest in this project and encourage you to sign-up to follow the project on YourSay to receive project updates direct to your inbox, when significant information is available to share.

We have reached an exciting milestone, with our construction contractor, Whelans starting construction works at the IGA end of the Maurice Avenue shopping precinct on Monday 22 July 2024.

Vehicle access along Maurice Avenue will remain open and available during the streetscape upgrade, with every attempt made to maintain access to the shops during the works. Should you have any concerns regarding access, please contact Whelans' Bairnsdale head office on (03) 5152 2844 to be put in touch with the Construction Manager in charge of these works.

Mallacoota’s Maurice Avenue upgrades have commenced!

Upgrades to Mallacoota’s Maurice Avenue have commenced, with Whelans Group Investments Pty Ltd (Whelans) moving to site this week to begin preliminary works.

The project encompasses a range of enhancements, including formalised car parking and road-calming measures to provide a safer and more appealing environment for residents and visitors alike.

Community feedback was instrumental in shaping the design, reflecting our collaborative approach to prioritising the needs and preferences of our local communities.

Some changes were made to the concept design following additional work with the project reference group, including:

• incorporating the rotunda, mosaics, commemorative bricks, and mature trees into the design.
• modifying the bus stop kerb to improve safety and access.
• ensuring footpaths are accessible, adding dedicated parking bays, and extending the native garden beds.

We are committed to delivering these enhancements to the Mallacoota Streetscape in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring a significant improvement to the area's infrastructure and overall appeal before the 2024 Christmas holiday season.

Regular updates will be provided directly to local traders, and to community through project updates on YourSay. Further enquiries can be directed to the Project Supervisor on 03 5153 9500.

The heart of Mallacoota is set to get a major makeover, with East Gippsland Shire Council kicking off its much-anticipated Mallacoota streetscape upgrade project, which will bring a fresh look and improved functionality to Maurice Avenue.

"The upgrades encompass a range of infrastructure enhancements aimed at improving both functionality and aesthetics," Mayor Cr Tom Crook said.

"We have been working with locals on the project for three years and are eager to work with our local contractor, Whelans Group Investments, which will be rolling out the improvements."

This project, informed by the MADRA (Mallacoota and District Recovery Association) Recovery Plan, has been led by a dedicated Project Reference Group and boasts representation from key stakeholders including the Mallacoota and District Business and Tourism Association, MADRA, Friends of Mallacoota, Traditional Custodians, and other community groups.

The project will include raised pedestrian crossings, road-calming measures, and a host of features designed to enhance safety and aesthetic appeal of the area. Features include:

• Updated car parking facilities including disabled parking spaces
• New pavements and connecting pathways
• Bike racks
• New kerb and channel
• Street furniture
• Trees, native shrubs, and groundcover

"We’re committed to delivering these enhancements in a timely manner, ensuring a significant improvement to the area's infrastructure and overall appeal," Cr Crook said. " Council is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community. Our goal with this project is to foster sustainable growth and development, creating an environment where our communities can thrive for generations to come."

Funding for this project is provided by the Australian Government through the Community Development Grants Program, in conjunction with Council.

Construction details and timing will be shared on Council’s YourSay page.

Local traders will be informed of the construction program before works commence and will be kept updated throughout the project's delivery.

To view the design

Following feedback, the following changes were made to the concept design:

• the existing rotunda will remain in place
• disabled car spots in the centre carpark
• bus parking: the kerb was modified to improve safety and access to the bus stop

Note: While every attempt will be made to follow the detailed design, final outcomes may vary slightly due to external influences on construction and site conditions. Your understanding is appreciated.

View this media release online: Community-led Mallacoota makeover set to begin (eastgippsland.vic.gov.au)

The contract for construction of the Mallacoota Streetscape upgrade was awarded to Whelans Group Investments Pty Ltd (Whelans) at the 21 May 2024 Council meeting.

We anticipate providing further programming details for construction as they become available, and we are eager to collaborate once again with Whelans on this project.

This project encompasses a comprehensive range of infrastructure enhancements aimed at improving both functionality and aesthetics, including the implementation of car parking solutions and integration of road calming measures to ensure smoother and safer traffic operations.

Additional project features include:

• exposed aggregate pavements and connecting pathways
• raised pedestrian crossings
• disabled parking spaces
• all-new street furniture
• bike racks
• street trees and landscaping

We are committed to delivering these enhancements to the Mallacoota Streetscape in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring a significant improvement to the area's infrastructure and overall appeal.

Shop owners will be informed of the construction program before works commence and updated throughout the project's delivery.

Regular updates will be provided directly to local traders, and to the community through project updates on YourSay.

Tender for construction is now closed.

Tender submissions are under review. Further updates will be provided once the tender evaluation process has been completed.

Tender for construction is now open and will close on 21 February 2024.

To express interest visit: www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/council/tenders

The detailed design is in the final stages and will shortly be complete. The next stage of this project is to advertise the tender for the construction works and this is scheduled prior to Christmas. Construction works will commence after Easter 2024, to avoid the busy tourist season. We will advise exact construction dates, once they are available

Detail Design layout is now available - click here. Alternatively, hard copies of the plan are available at the Mallacoota Service Centre - 70 Maurice Avenue, Mallacoota. Hours: Monday and Tuesday - 10.00 am to 2.00 pm and Wednesday to Friday - 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Council has been meeting regularly with the Project Reference Group and the appointed design consultant to finalise the detail design layout and assist with design details such as paving types and colours, mosaic tile management, safety concerns, landscaping, and other elements identified in the concept masterplan.

Tender for construction to be released following completion of the detailed plans. We anticipate construction to commence early in 2024. Construction dates will be advised when available.