St Albans’ town centre will be getting a facelift after Brimbank council last week approved more than $1 million in upgrades.
The council’s 2017-18 budget included more than $60 million in capital works projects, with St Albans town centre one of the first to be given the tick of approval.
Infrastructure and city services director Neil Whiteside said the money would be used for a range of projects across the town centre.
“Council’s 2017-2018 Capital Works Budget includes $400,000 funding to improve footpaths and pedestrian access through the St Albans activity centre,” Mr Whiteside said.
“This is a staged program to rebuild existing uneven and damaged footpaths along Elaine Street, Victoria Crescent and East Esplanade.
“Completed footpaths will include new trees and garden beds, water sensitive urban design elements, asphalt and red brick banding.”
The works also include a new pedestrian crossing on East Esplanade, which are expected to begin soon. Works on Victoria Crescent are planned for the first half of 2018.
The council also allocated $600,000 to redevelop the Alfrieda Street bus exchange to improve connections between Alfrieda Street, St Albans Square and the new railway station, but external funding will be required to complete the project.
There was also a $250,000 commitment from the council to upgrade the town centre carpark, with an estimated 34 new parking spaces to be added.
St Albans Business Association secretary, Ross Morfea said the upgrades were much needed and would be a welcome addition to the shopping area. “It’s very urgent in some areas,” Mr Morfea said.
“We’ve had issues in the main street with bits of the road and paths breaking away, so especially for shoppers that come here all the time it will be important for them to feel good about St Albans.
“St Albans has been let down over a number of years, so it’s good to see things finally happening in the area after pushing for a while.
“We shouldn’t have to push for these things, they should just get done.”
