Fawkner’s Bonwick St shopping strip revitalisation underway

Traders along a busy shopping strip in Fawkner fear a decision to replace parking spaces with seating and a pedestrian crossing could hurt business, despite the area needing a spruce up.

Bonwick St traders are concerned about the lack of parking along the busy shopping strip. Picture: Ellen Smith

The beautification of Fawkner’s Bonwick St shopping strip is under way but traders remain concerned about how it will help business.

Consultation was held on the upgrade last year, which will include new seating and a crossing for pedestrians.

Original Moreland Council plans reduced parking spaces on the street and a nearby carpark by 17 spots.

But updated plans will now remove two spaces and replace them with cycling parking.

Civita Iuliano, who owns Fawkner Lotto on Bonwick St, said while the upgrade would be nice for the area, more carparks were needed to help business.

“There’s not enough carparks, we have customers coming in saying they can’t find a park,” she said.

“It might make it more attractive for people to come but our main concern is a loss of business.”

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Fawkner Newsagency worker Sunny Sun also said reducing carparks could harm business.

“If they do cut more carparking it will make it more difficult for shoppers,” she said.

North East Ward councillor Ali Irfanli broke ground on the project on June 6 and said it had been shaped by feedback from more than 100 people.

“We’re doing this project so the community can safely cross on Bonwick St,” he said.

“We needed to encourage pedestrians to visit … Bonwick St has been the heart of Fawkner for decades.”

The upgrade is expected to be complete by November.

To see an animation of the design visit moreland.vic.gov.au