Million-dollar beautification plan for part of CBD

A $3.2 MILLION beautification plan for sections of Kent and Adelaide Sts in Maryborough's central business district has been adopted by the council.

A $3.2 MILLION beautification plan for sections of Kent and Adelaide Sts in Maryborough's central business district has been adopted by the council.

City and town centre development portfolio councillor Daniel Sanderson said under the plan, the pavers would be removed and replaced with exposed aggregate and new street furniture, such as light poles and seating, public art.

He said gardens would be installed and pedestrian access improved but car parks would not be lost.

"The beautification work will significantly enhance the look and feel of the CBD to make it more attractive and inviting for shoppers and investors," Cr Sanderson said.

"Already we are seeing investors target buildings in Adelaide St for redevelopment.

"The project will extend the new look for the CBD that was introduced as part of the $4.4 million beautification and redevelopment of Kent St between Bazaar and March Sts, undertaken in 2008-09.

"This project includes footpath replacement, asphalt overlay, minor drainage upgrades and alterations to underground services, pedestrian lighting, street furniture and streetscaping."

He said now the plan had been adopted, the council could move forward and develop design plans and call for tenders for the project to be undertaken.

"Council did also look at a one-way option with angled parking on Adelaide St," Cr Sanderson said.

"While the option had many benefits unfortunately, the cost of the project at $3.8 million was outside the council's budget."

The beautification of Adelaide and Kent Sts project was one of the major recommendations to come out of the council's Imagine This City project.

"Hundreds of people gave us suggestions and feedback on how to reactivate the CBD as we developed the Imagine This City Strategy," Cr Sanderson said.

"This is one of the first projects to be unveiled as part of the strategy."

He said the council would combine the project with improvements that would be carried out under a $6 million project to flood-proof the CBD by raising a section of Adelaide St between Kent and Sussex Sts.

The project included raising Adelaide St by 300mm, buying a new portable 1.8m levee to use in Adelaide St and installing a permanent pump station to control stormwater run-off.

"The $6 million project to improve flood resilience will be funded by a $4.8 million state government grant and $1.2 million from council," Cr Sanderson said.

"This is an exciting time for the CBD."