City Hall to bask in new streetscape
The revamped section of Kent Street in front of the Maryborough City Hall will open for traffic on Wednesday (May 27).
The $2.5 million makeover, the latest in the Maryborough CBD Revitalisation Project, involved road and footpath upgrades on both sides of Kent Street between Adelaide and Lennox streets and a small area west of the Kent and Lennox streets intersection.
“The revitalisation project has ensured that the Maryborough CBD remains attractive – to both shoppers and investors,” Councillor Daniel Sanderson said.
“It has replaced tired looking footpaths and introduced eye-catching new elements such as the Hub on Kent Street, sculptures and the video stories.”
“The aim is to offer a fun place for visitors and shoppers. CBDs have to be more than just a place to shop; they must be a hub for community activities especially in a post COVID-19 world.”
Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said the revitalisation works would help maximise the main street.
“This work was long overdue and gives City Hall the lift it needed,” Mr Saunders said.
“It has also improved safety for pedestrian crossings, conforming to all the other new works we have been able to achieve in the CBD in recent years.
“Our government’s $365 million Building Our Regions program supports local government infrastructure and creates flow-on economic development opportunities and jobs.
“This program has provided more than $6.8 million to Fraser Coast Regional Council and created 50 jobs across six projects, including the Howard Sewerage upgrades and the Maryborough Portside Cultural Precinct.”
Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the threat of COVID-19 can’t stop Queensland moving forward.
“We’ve listened to communities, we’re working with councils, and we’re strengthening Queensland’s economic recovery by delivering the infrastructure our regions need,” Mr Dick said.
“After some dark days we’re getting on with building a brighter tomorrow for our state, and job-creating projects like this have been at the core of that.”
The project included replacing the traffic lights at the intersection of Kent and Lennox streets; new footpaths, kerb and channel, road pavement, artworks, landscaping, power outlets for community events and replacing the retaining wall in front of the City Hall.
The Maryborough CBD Revitalisation Project was modelled on feedback from CBD businesses, property owners and residents during consultation held in 2013 for the Imagine This City Project.
Since then revitalisation works have been undertaken in Adelaide Street from Ellena to Sussex streets; Kent Street from Adelaide Street towards March Street; Lennox Street from Sussex to Ellena streets; Ellena Street from Adelaide to Bazaar streets; and Bazaar Street from Ellena to Sussex streets.
The Fraser Coast Regional Council is contributing almost $1.6 million towards the project, with the Queensland Government contributing over $900,000 through the Building Our Regions program.