Kingborough Council releases Place Strategy with some major changes earmarked for Kingston

Plans are in place to transform a southern Tasmanian suburb from “unattractive, sterile, dependable and disconnected” to a place that attracts investment, is self-sufficient, walkable and green.

Artist impression of the Kingston revamp.

PLANS are in place to transform Kingston from an “unattractive, sterile, dependable and disconnected” town to a place that attracts investment, is self-sufficient, walkable and green.

Kingborough Council’s Kingston Place Strategy 2020-2050 was developed “to attract and guide” future development for one of Tasmania’s fastest growing areas.

Key priority areas under the development include transforming Kingston’s Channel Hwy to a pedestrian and business-focused street, with pedestrian crossings, wider footpaths and on-street dining.

Better pedestrian connections from Central Kingston and Kingston Park, and a focus on “bringing nature into public spaces” are also key council priorities.

The council’s vision document is damning of Kingston’s current layout, describing it as unattractive, sterile, dependable and disconnected”.

Through the development the council hopes to:

Transform the Channel Hwy from its current state of high volume traffic to a “passive”, people-centric, low volume street.

Develop a “civic spine” link between Channel Hwy and John St.

The creation of laneway experiences is also a council visionwhich is said to be a longer term objective given the existing built infrastructure.

Artist impression of Kingston revamp.

A $100,000 State Government grant was given to Kingborough Council for the strategy’s preparation, while $200,000 is held within the council’s draft capital 2020-21 budget for further design.

The strategy recommends external funding over the life of the plan to support its development.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said the plan was a product of more than 1600 survey responses, 400 submissions, and several public workshops.

“I think implementing the changes should be relatively easy because there is no one arguing for the status quo. Kingston is a mess. Council knows it, business knows it and most importantly locals know it,” Cr Winter said.

“Within the old Kingston High School site, we now have southern Tasmania’s best playground under construction, new housing is approved and the commercial aspect’s progressing.

“The major public infrastructure components are complete or underway. Now it is time to connect those components with central Kingston.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Kingborough Council and the State Government this month revealed how it would spend an additional $20.8 million released as part of the Hobart City Deal.

Projects announced include $6.75m for park and ride facilities, $3.5m on expanding existing bus services and a further $2.65m to improve bus stops.

Another $7m was earmarked for “complimentary council initiatives” which the council will consider contributing towards more park and rides, Kingston road upgrades and cycle strategies.

“The City Deal has given us the opportunity to leverage components of the funding into rebuilding Kingston. All of the research about congestion in cities around the world says that the best way to resolve congestion is to stop people needing to travel into the city,” Cr Winter said.

“The consultation tells us people want more places to dine out locally and if we can improve the look and feel of Kingston, they will stay here.”