NEXT year will be a big year of upheaval in Commercial Street Korumburra and at the November meeting of the Korumburra Round Table they heard all about it.
Key among the changes is that the highway route through the town will be reduced to one lane with more space provided for maneuvering safely into car parking spaces.
The one-lane plan is expected to slow traffic, especially trucks, and make it safer for locals in and around the shopping centre.
Here’s KRT President Pee-Wee Lewis’ report on what transpired at the Thursday, November 17 meeting:
“At this month’s Korumburra Round Table meeting we were lucky enough to have senior council officers Luke McGrath and William Garlepp attend to give us an update on the redevelopment of Korumburra’s main street.
“This project, which is separate from the Korumburra Hub project, involves a major design change to the highway leading up the main street, whereby rather than two lanes of traffic travelling in each direction, there will be one lane and a wider area next to that lane, giving vehicles a safe space to pull over and reverse park while the single lane of traffic continues through.
“An example of how this will work can be seen on Mine Road outside the Primary School
“As we poured over the plan, which was first released for public comment in 2016, we discussed various informal crossing points for the main street (the current crossing with lights will remain in its current location) and how any beautifying of the street, with outstands and garden beds etc, must be weighed up against the loss of car spaces; and we were at great pains to point out that the latter is of major concern to the community.
“We also discussed preferences for materials and colour selections for planter boxes, shrubs and flowers, drink fountains, bike racks, seats and bins, amongst other things. It was a highly animated discussion, and Luke and William seemed very receptive as we hammered home the need to get the most bang for our buck. Works on this exciting project are due to start in mid-to‑late 2023.
“The meeting also covered the highly popular Men’s Shed in Korumburra, which is looking forward to moving into the large shed at the Bridge Street end of the railway yards. This very active group meets twice-a-week and is keenly awaiting the fitting out of the new, much larger shed for their use.
“Speaking of active groups, huge accolades to Ben Ellis, who spearheads the many enthusiastic volunteers working on our wonderful hidden asset – the Korumburra Botanic Park, at the bottom of Bridge Street. The Friends of Botanic Park have linked in with Landcare, are holding monthly meetings and many, many working bees including on Olsen’s Track, and are now discussing the possibility of erecting a history board in the park, and also having music events down there in the future.
“See you all at the ‘Christmas in Korumburra’ event on Thursday December 8 from 4.30pm in our main street. It is going to be huge!
Pee-Wee Lewis, President, Korumburra Round Table.
