Fresh concept designs behind the proposed upgrades to Smart Street Mall have received unanimous support from City of Mandurah councillors.
"Rolling out astroturf", painting the pavement and removing parking bays to open up the area were among several of the proposed changes.
Elected representatives were presented with the new designs at their April 16 meeting during a presentation by senior landscape architect Renee Barton.
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Ms Barton said the design would remove the "clutter" that divided the mall, revitalise the "outdated" appearance and improve the infrastructure that was in a "poor condition".
Lighting along the stripe will also see dramatic changes with hanging, lantern-like infrastructure put forward.
Following the City of Mandurah's push to use "smart city" technology into the future, the lighting infrastructure will include 'Internet of things' devices.
The concept design has also been unanimously approved by the Smart Street Working Group, a committee of local community leaders, business owners and organisation representatives that were appointed in October 2017 to help steer the foundation of the project.
According to Ms Barton that group helped identify the "ingredients for a successful place" which included four key elements.
These elements included a focus on activity and activation, tenant mix and quality of storefronts, the landscape infrastructure and the movement of people.
While councillors all agreed that the concept designs were a step in the right direction for the City of Mandurah, they will require the final tick of approval at the local government's April 30 meeting.
Once the designs are given the official greenlight, they will put to the community through a consultation process.
At the meeting councillors as acknowledged that $1.5 million would likely to be required in the 2019-20 budget and $1 million in the 2020-21 budget to implement the proposed upgrade.
Smart Street Mall redevelopment timeline:
October 2017
A community information session was held at the Senior Citizens and Community Centre. Concerns and issues regarding smart Street Precinct were identified and the Smart Street Precinct Working Group was established.
November 2017
The working group met for the first time. The group agreed on the removal of the wall between Woolworth's car park and Smart Street Mall and discussed the on vehicle and pedestrian mix for the area. Considerations for the mall's upgrade was defined.
December 2017
The second meeting of the working group was held. Discussing mainly focused on timed parking. An agreement was struck that the Smart Street Mall pedestrian and vehicle mix would remain as is.
March 2018
The group held its third meeting, where they reached an agreement on timed car parking in the Woolworth's, Mewburn and Post Office Carparks.
March 2018
The proposals were brought before council. City of Mandurah councillors supported the removal of the wall between Woolworth's carpark and Smart Street Mall.
Elected representatives also approved time restriction on car parking in the Woolworths car park (10 bays at 30 minutes), the Mewburn car park (four hours on all bays) and in the Post Office car park (with a mix of three-hour bays and 10 bays at 30 minutes).
August 2018
The fourth meeting of the working group was held and draft concepts for the Smart Street Mall upgrade were considered.
September 2018
The fifth meeting of the working group. At this meeting, two additional options regarding the pedestrian and vehicle access mix were presented for consideration.
October 2018
The matter was brought back before council, with three concept plans put forward
November 2018
In November, community and stakeholder consultation kicked off with three concept plans options for the Smart Street Mall upgrade opened to feedback.
December - February 2019
Findings of community and stakeholder engagement were reviewed. Further design development and review of options resulted in revisiting and refining the favoured concept. A final draft concept plan was then prepared for the upgrade.
February 2019
The sixth and final meeting of the working group was held where the group was required to take a formal position on several matters including unanimously supporting the latest concept plan and to request that council implement the works by June 2021.
April 2019
Council considered the latest concept design, thank the working group and acknowledge that $1.5 million would be required for the implementation of stage one of the upgrade and $1 million for stage two.
What's your thoughts on the Smart Street Mall? To share your opinion get in touch with the Mandurah Mail team via editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Follow Caitlyn Rintoul on Twitter via @caitlynrintoul.
