Work is about to start on a major suite of works to transform and 'Regener8' Mildura's CBD, including planting up to 500 additional trees in the retail precinct.
Mildura CBD Urban Regener8 is a comprehensive program of works aimed at providing more shade, better amenity, better access and a generally more attractive and inviting precinct for locals, businesses and visitors.
Mildura Rural City Councillor for Infrastructure and Assets Glenn Milne, who is also Chair of the CBD Steering Committee, said the project would result in a much more inviting and attractive city centre and would progress over the coming two years.
"People in Mildura have been calling out for more trees for many years now and, given the heat that we face in summer and through other parts of the year, planting hundreds of trees will certainly add to the attraction for shoppers and the many staff who work in the CBD," Cr Milne said.
Other major improvements include extensive landscaping throughout the precinct, additional seating, including more alfresco dining options, and additional shade.
There will also be improvements, including tree-lined boulevard plantings, to prioritise pedestrian connections, which will complement existing palm trees and visually link the CBD to the riverfront.
Mildura City Heart Chair, Adam Hobbs said the Mildura City Heart welcomes the project, stating the Board have long been calling for additional trees throughout the precinct to provide shade, reduce the heat throughout the summer months, and create a more inviting area for the community to utilise.
"We're really pleased to see the Regener8 Project moving ahead," Mr Hobbs said.
"We believe it will create a more inviting space for people to spend time in the CBD, creating a positive flow-on effect to traders in the CBD, customers shopping in the height of summer, and encouraging people to congregate and socialise in our vibrant city centre."
Cr Milne said that while much of the focus would be on the core inner CBD retail precinct, CBD Fringe Streets would also come in for attention, taking in residential and mixed use/commercial areas.
"Similar to the inner CBD, we'll see more seating, larger canopy trees for shade cover over parking areas, as well as tree planting to provide shade in smaller areas we know our community like to meet or gather for social or recreational purposes,' he said.
Fringe Streets will also receive treatments to encourage people to walk or cycle into the CBD and riverfront precincts.
Cr Milne said the $450,000 suite of works, which included $300,000 from the Victorian Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund, would be a major step in a broader plan to reactivate and transform the Mildura CBD, in line with the Mildura CBD Plan 2020-2035.
It follows a $200,000 cash injection from the Victorian Government earlier this year for the first stage of the Mildura CBD Revitalisation Project, which is another key component of the Mildura CBD Plan.
The CBD Revitalisation Project will review commercial supply, demand and configuration of the city centre in a bid drive economic revitalisation of the Mildura CBD.
It will:
- undertake an economic feasibility study of the Mildura CBD
- develop an investment prospectus for the precinct
- study links and connections between the Langtree Mall and the upper area of Langtree Avenue
- start a Feast Street Upgrade Project to develop concept designs/plans.
"These are exciting projects aimed at creating a thriving precinct that will be more attractive to both new and existing businesses, and the general community," Cr Milne said.
"They will drive further economic growth, create jobs and stimulate spending, while at the same time creating a more lush, attractive and user-friendly precinct for all of us to experience and enjoy."
Work is expected to begin on Mildura CBD Urban Regener8 in the current financial year.
