Work has started on the next phase of an important project that is breathing new life into Lavington’s commercial heart.
Stage 2 of the Wagga Road Revitalisation Project began on Tuesday, building upon the completion of stage one – between Urana Road and Kaylock Road - in 2016.
In this next stage – due for completion in June this year - we’ll deliver a range of improvements to the section of road between Kaylock Road and Barlow Street, including:
- Tree planting and landscaping on the road edges to create an avenue effect
- A new road surface over the existing surface
- New central medians containing trees consistent with those planted in stage 1
- A landscaped service lane median between McDonald Road and Barlow Street
- A new pedestrian refuge between Dick Road and Barlow Street
- More parking spaces in the McDonald Road and Barlow Street area
- Kerb and guttering works
- New drainage pipework and pits
The works will deliver a more attractive road and surrounds but the benefits will extend far beyond an improved visual appeal. In fact, by completing this next stage we’ll have taken another important step towards reaching a key target in a strategy to enhance the economic performance of the Lavington CBD, in line with AlburyCity’s narrative pillars of ‘empowering progress, serving with excellence, and taking care of our place’.
By improving parking and making it easier for pedestrians to access the shops, we can help to direct more trade to local businesses. Enhancing Lavington’s economic performance means we can continue to work with our community to create jobs, improve safety and reduce business vacancy rates.
The project has been guided by extensive consultation with business owners and residents, including community discussion forums in June and July 2019, and January this year.
It’s part of our Albury and Lavington CBD master plan which is providing a long term planning framework, improved visual appearances to entry points and cohesive growth for both shopping precincts.
In Lavington, the plan identified a lack of incentive for people to walk to shops, a need for improved parking and the benefits of street trees to enhance the precinct and add to the greening of the urban footprint – all changes that continue to be made in Wagga Road.
The project will have a strong economic impact, delivering 31 ongoing jobs and contributing approximately $5.1 million in net community benefit.
A strongly-aligned drive by business, the Albury Northside Chamber of Commerce and the wider community to progress the redevelopment of Wagga Road has been a major factor for AlburyCity’s push to secure NSW Government project funding.
Beautification works completed as part of Stage 1 have been an important consideration for businesses investing an estimated $30 million in private capital in the precinct. These projects include the Northpoint Tower, the ambulance station, Aldi, a major medical centre and the UPA Murray Aged Care facility.
We’re delivering the project in partnership with the NSW Government. The government’s Regional Growth Fund’s Growing Local Economies Program has provided $2M towards the total cost of $4.5M, with AlburyCity providing the balance.
Council is grateful to the government for sharing our vision of revitalising Lavington’s CBD and we look forward to continuing to work together to make all of Albury an even better place to live, work and invest.