A greener, safer street
Extending from Battunga Road to the intersection of Meadows and Angas Road, an upgrade to the 650 metre long main street was identified by the Echunga community as a key priority for the Mt Barker council during consultation on the strategic plan for the town in November 2019.
The proposed upgrade of the Echunga main street follows similar upgrades across the district including Venables Street in Macclesfield, Princes Highway in Nairne and Princes Highway in Littlehampton.
Mt Barker Mayor, David Leach said that: “Council recognises the important role that main streets play in supporting local economic development and fostering social inclusion and wellbeing.”
The council has been working with a community stakeholder reference group and design consultants, Clover Green Space, to develop a draft concept design for the main street. The draft design has a focus on environmentally sustainable features including the capture and reuse of storm water, a reduction in hard paved surfaces and an increase in tree canopy coverage.
Improving pedestrian and vehicle safety is also a feature of the draft design. This involves wider and more accessible footpaths, dedicated pedestrian crossing points, and reconfiguration of key intersections to increase vehicle safety.
“Placing an emphasis on environmental sustainability through urban greening and water-sensitive urban design principles, while also improving pedestrian and driver safety provides many benefits to both current and future residents of the town,” Mayor Leach said.
A preliminary cost estimate for the main street upgrade is around $2 million of which the council would seek a minimum of 50 percent grant funding to help deliver the project.
The proposed upgrade also includes plans to underground power lines along the street allowing for increased tree canopy cover and a reduction in hard paved surfaces. The council has registered an interest with the Power Line Environment Committee (PLEC), a grant funding agency which provides up to 66 percent funding grants to successful applicants.
“The presence of power lines has and will continue to limit the establishment of large trees that provide shade and interest to the southern side of the main street,” Mayor Leach said.
The estimated total cost for undergrounding the power lines along the Echunga main street is $4 million. If successful in securing PLEC funding the council’s contribution would be between $1.3 and $1.5 million with work able to commence in the second half of 2025.
Council is seeking public feedback on the draft concept design, with consultation with the wider Echunga community to occur from September to October 2023.
