A historic hinterland town’s main street is about to get a revamp, in line with other townships that have benefitted from Sunshine Coast Council’s award-winning beautification projects.
Woombye’s Blackall Street is the next neighbourhood set to be transformed, to deliver on the community’s vision for an attractive and vibrant township.
Works will take from late October to May.
Sunshine Coast Council Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston said the thoroughfare would provide locals with a source of great pride.
“The community has been on a journey with our Placemaking and Design team, and now will see their feedback breaking ground,” he said.
“The placemaking team had many conversations, town meetings and received almost 500 surveys from the community which helped shape and refine the design.
“Shady street trees and garden beds will be planted to cool the footpath, beautify and extend the green, leafy look and feel, to the west of the town centre.”
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Cr Johnston said that once works were completed, the community would be able to enjoy a central space in front of the School of Arts Hall.
“Locals and visitors will enjoy outdoor dining to support businesses along the western end of the street and utilise the new seating areas and streetscape amenities such as bins, lighting, a drinking fountain and shady street trees throughout … The works will also highlight a pedestrian-friendly street by improving footpaths and crossings.
“We decided to undertake the streetscape works across two phases to minimise impacts on the traders and visitors to Woombye.”
Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said the area would be significantly improved.
“The streetscape works will make the already great lifestyle of locals here in Woombye even better and help attract visitors to this beautiful part of the region,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Council is collaborating with the Woombye Community and Business Association to embed a heritage trail into the project.
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Woombye Community and Business Association Vice President Grant Palethorpe said community members were proud of their heritage and he looked forward to it being immortalised in the streetscape.
“In 2018, Woombye celebrated 150 years since the first Cobb & Co coach commenced the Brisbane to Gympie journey,” he said.
“The coach would stop overnight at Cobb’s Camp, now the town of Woombye, and was instrumental in establishing the hinterland township.
“Soon after this milestone celebration, a regular gathering of passionate locals met at the Woombye Bowls Club. It was informal, and allowed them to reminisce, share stories and photos.
“These gatherings led to the heritage group being formalised under the banner of the Woombye Community and Business Association.
“With the support of council and our dedicated members including Margaret Woodrow, Lyn Walker, Tess Martin and Judith Bandidt, the first of two publications celebrating Woombye’s Heritage Trail was launched.
“There’s been great interest in the book. Residents and visitors have expressed their delight to explore the trail and learn more about the important heritage sites around our township.
“We’re excited to see the Heritage Trail incorporated into the Blackall Streetscape for future generations to enjoy – and build upon our town’s enchanting narrative.”
To minimise disruption to businesses and traders, construction will pause from December 22 until January 16.
This project is funded by the Queensland Government’s Southeast Queensland Community Stimulus Program, in association with Council.
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