The original paving works |
Following an extensive consultation period
over the last 3 months, and an overwhelming response from the local community,
traders and visitors, the City Of Unley will now commence draft design plans to
transform King William Road, including repaving the much-loved mainstreet.
The concept is based on renewing the iconic paved
road surface to preserve the Hyde Park precinct’s distinctive village identity,
and provide a more flexible streetscape that increases opportunities for
greening, places for people, and regular places to cross the street.
The community was given three
road-resurfacing options to choose from and Council gained valuable insights
from more than 450 conversations about the transformation of King William Road.
General Manager City Development John Devine
said the majority of respondents during the engagement process supported the
option that involved significant change to the existing layout. This features
increased greening of the street, opportunities for people to gather, and
contains more pedestrian crossings in exchange for a reduction in on-street parking.
“Our conversations with residents, shoppers,
workers and business owners showed clearly that most people envisioned a
stylish, inviting and green street to browse and do their shopping as well as
to spend quality time with family and friends,” said Mr Devine.
“The upgrade will modernise the street and
offer more sophisticated shopping and dining experiences, while retaining the
precinct’s village character through a paved roadway, parking spaces, clear
footpaths, boutique stores and highlighting its heritage buildings, which was
equally important to the community.”
The concept design includes a flexible
approach to dedicated spaces that can be used for on-street car parking,
temporary outdoor retail and event spaces or alfresco dining spots.
Learning from the original construction 30
years ago, the Council is determined to ensure that the final design is one
that can be delivered with minimum disruption to traders.
“The City of Unley will ensure a contractor
with extensive recent experience in similar mainstreet projects, and
specifically in laying pavers, is selected to ensure an efficient and cost
effective construction process. We are also examining how paver selection and
the laying process can reduce the noise levels of the new road.”
Council has importantly acknowledged that
the preferred design option will cause a small reduction in on-street parking.
“The feedback to date is that traders and
the wider community will support a reduction of on-street car parking if the
re-design stimulates deliberate activity, increase in business activity,
greater open space and colour and quality,” Mr Devine said.
“With design elements such as increased places to sit,
greening, greater pedestrian access, the benefits and associated accessibility
for pedestrians will far outweigh the small reduction in on-street car park
spaces. Council will also work with local landlords to maximise the awareness,
accessibility and capacity of the many off-street car parks within the
Precinct.”
Outcomes of this community consultation
process will further inform the final design, which will be presented to
Council for consideration on the 27th of August. Construction is expected to start in 2019.
Feedback can be provided via the Design
King William shop front at 183-185 King William Road, which will be open on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11am to 2pm. Feedback can also be
provided via designkingwilliam.com or Your Say on the City of Unley’s website.
For further information, please contact City of Unley Communications
Officer Erin Thompson - 8372 5183 or 0420 507 599
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