Sneak peek at Charman Rd transformation as $536m blitz hits halfway mark
Transformation works at Cheltenham railway station have taken the next step with two businesses knocked down to link the main shopping strip with a new community space.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two small businesses in Cheltenham have been demolished as transformation works begin as part of the level crossing removal project.
Charman Rd shops Paradise Gelato and EmbroidMe were vacated weeks ago, with tradies set to build green space linking the shopping strip with the new railway station and Cheltenham Park.
The progress comes as the huge project officially hit the halfway mark with both Charman and Park roads reopened following the removal of boom gates which caused traffic pains for up to 48 minutes during the morning rush.
Paradise Gelato owners Joyce Ng and Andi Lee said on social media the store’s closure was “bittersweet” but that they were looking at other “potential opportunities” moving forward.
Ms Ng opened the business in late 2018 with just $20 to her name after a volcanic eruption left her stranded in Indonesia.
“We have decided to surrender the leasehold … this is extremely bittersweet for both of us, as you all may know, we have worked very hard to build the community we currently have around us and we do not take this decision lightly,” a post reads.
“Kingston Council have decided to proceed with their project, and we’ve said before, we will not stand in the way of Cheltenham’s development.”
The council purchased both 245 and 247 Charman Road in 2018 and the leaseholds this year for $2.4 million and last year poured an extra $900,000 to provide 30 more spaces in the multistorey carpark which is set to rise next to the station.
A further $2 million will extend the decking at both Cheltenham and Mentone across the rail trenches and provide an expansion of the historic Mentone Station Gardens and a broader connection to Cheltenham Park.
And a $1.7 million contribution helped secure Cheltenham’s green space which was developed in consultation with residents in 2017.
The council will now focus on the next removal projects at Edithvale, Bonbeach and Chelsea, where five crossings will be plucked and three new stations built.
MORE NEWS
LOCAL LEAGUES TO PLAY FOOTY IN 2020
SAVE HAMPTON PIER PETITION GAINS SUPPORT
EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT NEW CHELTENHAM, MENTONE STATIONS
“The council has invested in the project to deliver a great outcome for our community that will provide attractive open space and better links to the station and Cheltenham Park,”
Kingston Mayor Cr Georgina Oxley said.
“We want to boost the area by creating an attractive, safe and well-designed community green space that supports our local traders and residents, links to the new Cheltenham train station now being built and opens up the area to Cheltenham Park.
“This is a unique chance to ensure the best possible outcome for the community and begin to bring to life a new vision for Cheltenham that the community helped develop.”