Northern Grampians Shire Council is chasing funding for a major project which aims to revitalise Stawell’s iconic Main Street.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The project would affect the town’s whole retail precinct and finish at the new park on the site of the former Caltex petrol station, currently under development.
Northern Grampians Shire chief executive Michael Bailey said council was working closely with the government and if they were successful in receiving funding, works would start as soon as possible.
“This is a transformation that will then start to drive retail transformation as well through eateries, the new way shopping precincts happen,” he said.
Plans for the project proposed an upgrade to the roundabout at the Main Street and Wimmera Street intersection. It featured a statue of a sprinter to acknowledge the town’s historical ties with the Stawell Gift, surrounded by flowers.
The plans showed three new garden beds along the Main Street, and another on the corner of Victoria Place and Church Street.
The bus stop opposite Clarks Furniture will be relocated, while the bus stop outside Saddles Burger Ranch will be upgraded.
Extra room for dining would be created outside Raunchy Rooster, as well as new umbrellas for outdoor eating opposite ANZ bank.
Mr Bailey said government funding was not a guarantee, but council was committed to delivering on the plans.
The plans to revitalise Stawell’s main strip come after an Australian Proprietary Company ALKGAM Pty Ltd applied to council for a planning permit to sell liquor at the Town Hall Hotel.
ALKGAM Pty Ltd is a registered business located at Ballarat North, according to an Australian business search.
The Town Hall Hotel has been shut since October of 2015, but Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Tony Driscoll said any new business was welcome to the area.
“It is encouraging to see yet another proposed development for our region, and builds upon some exciting projects already underway within the Northern Grampians Shire, and others which are scheduled for the near future,” he said.
Council will decide on the application before February 28.