New footpaths, bike ramps, crossings in the works for Wondai CBD

Residents and businesses will get a final look at long-awaited plans for a Wondai CBD makeover, but some councillors have questioned if consultation has dragged on too long.

Wondai residents can look forward to long-awaited improvements to their town‘s streetscape as council develop a final design plan.

The transformation of Wondai CBD’s streetscape will begin after a final round of consultation with affected businesses and residents.

Wednesday’s South Burnett Regional Council meeting revealed the new designs include the removal of two traffic islands and a crossing, and the addition of new footpaths and bike racks as well as recognition of traditional owners throughout.

Construction originally intended to begin in October has been postponed as consultations between councillors, Wondai residents and businesses have “dragged on”.

‘Will I walk again?’: Young groom’s buck’s party nightmare

The proposed final design will be shown to the affected businesses and circulated to the broader Wondai community for final feedback before being endorsed by the council.

The project is being funded with $700,000 from the Works for Queensland grants.

Post-it Note SOS: Desperate mum, daughter’s fossicking rescue drama

Deputy mayor Scott Henschen said his consultations with Wondai businesses proved successful.

The new designs include the removal of two islands and a crossing, new footpaths, bike racks and recognition of traditional owners throughout.

“We have taken into consideration the options of seeding and incorporating little garden beds like other towns around the region,” Mr Henschen said.

General manager Darryl Brooks said considering the design alterations following the consultations, the project will begin at the latest in January 2024.

“We need to reduce construction start date expectations,” Mr Brooks said.

Councillor Kathy Duff said bike racks have been added in response to community feedback on the original plans.

Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones said ratepayers will suffer the burden of higher costs if the community consultations continue for a more significant period of time.

“I can see some councillors looking at me sideways but we’re elected to make these hard decisions,” Mr Jones said.

Councillor Jane Erkens said sometimes council gives the community too many options to choose from.

“It’s like dressing a small child and showing them the entire wardrobe,” Mrs Erkens said.

“We‘ve go to take into consideration the feedback but if you listen to every single person and business we’d never come up with a decision.

“Sometimes we have to do what we’re elected to do,” she said.

Councillors agreed they needed to finalise the project as swiftly as possible to lower the cost impact on ratepayers.

Originally published as New footpaths, bike ramps, crossings in the works for Wondai CBD