Re-imagining Bairnsdale CBD
The next phase of Re-imagining Bairnsdale focuses on Nicholson Street. The designs will make the area safer, vibrant and more connected with other parts of the Bairnsdale CBD.
Throughout all stages of Re-imagining Bairnsdale CBD Project, we will work closely with the traders and landowners who will be affected by the works.
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Bairnsdale Connect Autumn 2017
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Bairnsdale Connect is an update from East Gippsland Shire Council on projects and programs planned for Bairnsdale and District.
Service Street Upgrade to commence
Since our last update to you, council awarded the contract for the next stage of the Re-imagining Bairnsdale CBD improvements to Cranes Asphalting and Bitumen. A new roundabout at the corner of Francis and Service Streets will be constructed first, with work commencing 24 April.
It is business as usual in the Bairnsdale CBD with access to the Francis and Service Street traders maintained throughout the project. There will be minor changes to parking and interruptions to traffic flow. Those directly affected by the works will receive weekly project updates and direct consultation.
There are over 3000 car parking spaces available in the Bairnsdale CBD. Council has developed an easy-to-read parking map to help you understand the various parking locations and restrictions that apply.
You can view the document online here.
The $709,000 project is funded via the Australian Government Roads to Recovery Programme ($573,000), council’s capital works budget ($93,000) and East Gippsland Water ($43,000). Construction works will include:
- A roundabout at the Francis Street and Service Street intersection including raised pedestrian crossings;
- Street tree planting;
- New street furniture;
- Upgraded public lighting along Service Street and at the new intersection;
- Upgrades to existing footpaths; and
- Protection of the existing trees within Service Street.
We have commenced construction drawings for the upgrades to the western side of Nicholson Street and the Service and Nicholson Street roundabout.
The extensive community consultation in 2016 resulted in a hybrid design of the proposed designs which retains some parallel parking along the northern side of Nicholson Street in front of Target.
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Mural brightens Nicholson Street
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Work has begun on a new mural in Bairnsdale that will depict a story inspired by the history of GunaiKurnai people.
The East Gippsland Shire Council project aims to reduce graffiti by engaging young people in public art to help them feel a sense of ownership and pride in the local area.
The project’s focus is to not only provide some specific creative training and development opportunities for a number of young people, but to provide some positive role modelling, in an effort to reduce illegal graffiti.
Mayor Cr Marianne Pelz said Council could undertake the project thanks to a Graffiti Prevention Grant of $18,282 from the Department of Justice’s Community Crime Prevention Program.
“This mural is being created by young Aboriginal people enrolled in Federation Training’s Koorie VCAL program as well as Aboriginal youth who may have a history of graffiti vandalism, and at-risk youth,” Cr Pelz said.
“Before starting work on the wall in Nicholson Street, the youth artists spent a school term developing their spray art skills, working on the design, and visiting cultural sites to learn more about their culture.”
“It is hoped that the strong level of ownership and participation by young people will have a significant impact in reducing the incidence of illegal graffiti throughout our Shire,” Cr Pelz said.
The Shire partnered with Federation Training, Victoria Police and Aboriginal artists to deliver the project.
The mural design was presented to Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative, the region’s two leading bodies for local Aboriginal protocols.
The mural represents a journey from the mountains to the sea. This journey was taken by the traditional owners, the GunaiKurnai people, as well as characters in the mural – the Bogong moth and the dog (dingo).
The story of Legend Rock was one of the stories that inspired the mural design:
One day, some fisherman who had hauled in many fish with their nets, ate their catch around their campfire. The women, guardians of the social law, saw that the men had eaten more than enough but had not fed their dogs.
As a punishment for their greed the fishermen were turned to stone. This is one of many GunaiKurnai stories that were told to show that greed would bring punishment.
East Gippsland Shire Council is appreciative of the way the property owners and traders embraced the project and allowed their property to be the canvas for the mural.
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Consultation for the Nicholson Street Upgrade Project is now closed
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Consultation for the Nicholson Street Upgrade Project closed 5pm Friday 17 June 2016.
Thank you to the community members who took the time to submit comments and feedback.
Regular project updates will be provided to traders, landowners and the community through Your Say, as well as media releases and email newsletters.
If you would like to receive project updates direct to your email, sign up here.
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Press coverage in Bairnsdale Advertiser 10 June 2016
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Andrew Moyle, Jack Ballantyne and Jan Bruce discuss the proposed change to the Bairnsdale central business district during the focus group sessions held at the Bairnsdale Library last Friday. The changes, while cosmetic in part, were inspired by the need for safe pedestrian movement. Overall, the reimagining looks to create a more inviting area, encouraging consumers to not simply park in front of the business they intend to shop, but to move throughout the area enhancing the overall experience for all parties involved.
Feedback following the focus groups can be submitted to the shire by Friday, June 17. As for a timetable, there is not one set in stone according to shire planner Bianca Wilkin, but the designers hope to see progress come in a series of stages that could begin and end before 2018.
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Press coverage in Bairnsdale Advertiser 3 June 2016
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Have your say on re-imagining plan
The design concepts for the second stage of the Re-imagining Bairnsdale Masterplan
were released for feedback on Monday, with community sessions being held today.
The early designs for Nicholson Street and its footpaths should make the area safer, vibrant and more connected with other parts of the CBD. It includes fixing footpath and road levels on Nicholson Street, building a roundabout at the intersection of Service and Francis streets, tree plantings, and street furniture. Combined, these projects will enhance the walkability of the town.
Consultation for the preliminary design concepts for stage two of the Re-imagining Bairnsdale will be held today at the Bairnsdale Library. Focus group sessions will be held as follows: 9–10am: Seniors; 10–11am: young families; 11.30am –12.30pm: general public, clubs and community group; 1.30– 2.30pm: young people; 2.30–3.30pm and 4–5pm: general public.
Invitations were extended to traders for a separate out-of-hours session, held last night. The project’s reference group will also meet outside business hours. While the majority of sessions are during business hours, the shire has placed information on the project at the Bairnsdale Library.
All information presented at the consultation sessions will be available on the shire’s engagement portal. Feedback can be left at this site, or through the shire’s other contact details. Feedback closes Friday, June 17.
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Press coverage in Bairnsdale Advertiser 23 May 2016
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Town plan feedback
The design concepts for the second stage of the Re-imagining Bairnsdale Masterplan will be released for feedback next Monday.
Community members are invited to attend a session on Friday, June 3, to provide input into the most appropriate design for the planned works.
The early designs for Nicholson Street and its footpaths are intended to make the area safer, vibrant and more connected with other parts of the CBD.
It includes fixing footpath and road levels on Nicholson Street, building a roundabout at the intersection of Service and Francis streets, tree plantings, and street furniture. Combined, these projects will enhance the walkability of the town.
Consultation for the preliminary design concepts for stage two of the Re-imagining Bairnsdale will be held at Bairnsdale Library, on Friday, June 3.
Focus group sessions will be held as follows: 9–10am: seniors; 10–11am: young families; 11.30am–12.30pm: general public, clubs and community group; 1.30–2.30pm: young people. Drop-in sessions for the general public will be held from 2.30–3.30pm and 4–5pm. Feedback can also be provided on the shire’s engagement portal.
The project is expected to start in 2017.
Previous projects in the Re-imagining Bairnsdale Masterplan include $1.8 million Nicholson Street Mall upgrade, the $5m upgrade to Bairnsdale Library, the narrowing of Princes Highway through the CBD, and the Main Street public toilet upgrade.
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