Work to start next month on Margate’s revamped streetscape

After a drawn out consultation process a southeast Queensland council and business owners have finally come to an agreement on plans for a new streetscape.

A concept design of what the entrance to the Margate Shopping District could look like.

Work on Margate’s new streetscape is expected to start next month but not everyone is convinced it will bring customers back to the struggling business district.

The $250,000 project will include new signage, a community noticeboard and some beautification works.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Redcliffe Peninsula president Nick Tzimas said they were 100 per cent backing the project.

Margate, which is located near Redcliffe north of Brisbane, is right on the waterfront.

Most of the businesses are situated one street back from the beach along Oxley Ave and Baynes St.

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From coffee shops, award-winning restaurants, a Woolworths, car yards, hairdressers, clothing shops, homewares and services such as lawyers — there is a good mix of businesses.

But with no real community space or communal area businesses are struggling to attract customers.

A concept image of the new Margate streetscape.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has made several attempts to spruce up the area.

The last streetscape project was done in 2007. Many businesses reported the road closures associated with the works had a negative impact on their ability to trade.

In 2017 the council released plans to build a park at Baynes St.

The park was supposed to be a place visitors could relax, grab a bite to eat and shop and enjoy pop-up activities and live entertainment.

While 65 per cent of people who took part in the public consultation supported the idea, just 13 per cent of business owners in Baynes St were in favour of it.

Business owners were against the plan as the proposal included closing Baynes St to traffic. They said this would force them to shut up shop.

Last year the council conducted further public consultation — this time around the idea of new signage and an improved streetscape.

URBAN PLANNING EXPERT’S PLAN TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO MARGATE

On Tuesday the council agreed to hand over $250,000 to LEAF Building Group Pty Ltd for the project.

The entrances to Margate will be adorned with new signage.

The works, which are due to start next months, will include:

■ Two new ‘Margate’ entrance signs — to replace the existing signs on Oxley Ave

■ A ‘Welcome to Margate’ sign at Langdon Park

■ A community noticeboard

■ An illuminated catenary sign at the Oxley Ave/Baynes St intersection

■ Replacing the tree on the roundabout at Baynes St with a Norfolk or Hoop Pine and installing fairy lights

Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Koliana Winchester (Div 6) said the project was “urgently needed” to boost the local amenities.

“This is a great outcome for that area that’s been done in consultation with Margate businesses,” Cr Winchester said.

“This project about much more than lighting trees, it’s about beautifying the area to create a sense of ‘place’ that will bring customers into the Margate CBD.”

“I’ve been keen to drive economic development initiatives in Margate to help struggling retailers, unfortunately a proposal to create a new events space along Baynes Street back in 2017 was not supported by businesses in the area.”

Nick Tzimas and Allan Sutherland oversee the start of the Margate streetscape project in 2007.

Mr Tzimas said the chamber had approached the council asking for help.

“We think this is really fantastic,” he said.

“The signage will be fantastic, it is really needed. The additional lighting will help show Margate is a much nicer way and the community noticeboard will help keep the community together and informed. It will bring a lot more groups together.”

Mr Tzimas said while the project would not solve all of the CBD’s problems it was a “positive step in the right direction”.

Works are expected to take six weeks to complete.